Resistivity and magnetoresistance behaviors of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3-BiFeO3 matrix-particles composites

Composites of polycrystalline La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) and nanoparticles of BiFeO3 (BFO) have been prepared in their particles-matrix LSMO(1-x)-BFO(x) form. Addition of 15 and 20 wt% BFO nanoparticles within the LSMO manganite lattice enhances the resistivity by 2 x 10(4) and 2 x 10(5) factors, respectively, as compared to pure LSMO. Value of T-P is found to be suppressed by a factor of similar to 4.5 in 20 wt% BFO incorporated LSMO manganite as compared to pure one. Different charge transport models have been employed to understand the charge conduction mechanism. Complex mechanisms have been discussed for obtained magnetoresistance (MR) isotherms. At 5 K, one can find almost double extrinsic MR in 20 wt% BFO added LSMO composite as compared to pure LSMO whereas at 300 K, pure LSMO shows 4 times larger intrinsic MR as compared to 20 wt% BFO added LSMO composite.