Influence of Gd-doping in La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 on its structural and magneto-electrical properties

Abstract Bulk samples of gadolinium doped manganites with compositional formula La 0.7 − x Gd x Ca 0.3 MnO 3 ( x =0.0 and 0.1) were prepared by conventional solid state reaction method. After characterizing the samples by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, a systematic investigation of electrical and magneto-transport properties has been investigated. The replacement of La ion by Gd results in a decrease of the metal–insulator transition temperature T MI and the magnetoresistance as well as the resistivity are found to increase. The electrical resistivity in the entire temperature range fit well with the phenomenological percolation model, which is based upon an approach that the system consists of the phase separated ferromagnetic metallic and paramagnetic insulating regions.