Structural and magnetic properties of La0.7Sr 0.3Mn1-xNixO3 (x=0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4)

We have studied the structural and magnetic properties of La 0.7Sr0.3Mn1-xNixO3 (x=0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, and 0.40) perovskites using x-ray and neutron diffraction and magnetic measurements. To our knowledge, there exists no neutron diffraction data available for this group of perovskite compositions. Neutron (?? = 1.479A) and x-ray (?? = 1.5481A; Cu K ??) powder diffraction indicate that for x ??0.1 all samples are two-phase with a rhombohedral perovskite structure (space group R-3c) and a small amount of NiO (space group Fm3m). Neutron diffraction data for the perovskite phase at 12K and 300K show ferromagnetic ordering for x &le 0.2 and antiferromagnetic ordering for x = 0.4. However, for x = 0.3, neutron diffraction data at 12K show coexisting ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic ordering while at 300K no magnetic ordering is found. Magnetic measurements indicate that the Curie temperature decreases with increasing Ni content. The NiO phase for all samples was found to have antiferromagnetic ordering at 12K and 300K. The magnetic measurements are consistent with the neutron diffraction data and together indicate long-range magnetic ordering for samples at low temperature and transitions from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic ordering for samples at room temperature. ? 2011 Materials Research Society.EI