Double-peak resistivity transport properties of La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 ceramics

Polycrystalline samples of La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 were prepared by solid-state reactions by varying the pelletization force and the sintering temperature. Lowering the sintering temperature gave rise to smaller grains and increased the overall resistivity of the ceramic. Partial melting was observed in the ceramics sintered at higher temperatures (1400–1500 8C). Additionally, these ceramics showed two distinct resistivity peaks. The resistivity peak near the magnetic transition (TC) was sharp, whereas the second peak was a broad one observed below TC