Tailoring the structural, conductivity, and magnetic properties of La2Ni1−xCrxMnO6 double perovskites by B-site Cr substitution
摘要
Double perovskite ceramics, La2Ni1−xCrxMnO6; (x = 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0) were developed using the sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement revealed the presence of rhombohedral and orthorhombic phases in addition to the main monoclinic structure, indicating the existence of disorder within the samples. The degree of disorder decreased with increasing chromium (Cr) substitution, with pure La2CrMnO6 exhibiting the highest order (approximately 99.70%). DC conductivity (σdc) and magnetization strongly depend on the degree of antisite disorder. The sample with x = 0.2 composition attained the highest DC conductivity (σdc = 8.023 × 10–2 S/m) and saturation magnetization (Ms = 51.89 emu/g). Ms showed a decreasing trend upon increasing Cr substitution. The observed hysteresis loops at ± 60 kOe revealed antiferromagnetic interactions in addition to the primary ferromagnetic phase. Various possible mechanisms were discussed in detail to understand the impact of Cr substitution on the structure, electrical conductivity, and magnetic properties in La2Ni1−xCrxMnO6 double perovskite compounds.