Cationic order-related magnetoresistivity and half-metallicity in bulk Pb2FeMoO6 grown by high pressure synthesis

• Published in: Journal of crystal growth 2024-04, Vol.632, p.127629, Article 127629
• Main Authors: Coppi, Chiara, Cabassi, Riccardo, Mezzadri, Francesco, Solzi, Massimo, Cugini, Francesco, Gilioli, Edmondo, Delmonte, Davide
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A1. Solid-state reaction; A2. High pressure/high temperature crystal growth; B1. Perovskites; B2. Half-metallic materials; B2. Magnetic materials; B2. Magnetoresistive materials
• ISSN: 0022-0248; 1873-5002
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2024.127629

•Pb2FeMoO6 grown in a bulk phase only via High Pressure/High Temperature synthesis.•Cation ordering on the B-site, leading to a long-range ferrimagnetic state at 275 K.•Asymmetric magnetoresistance never observed in B-disordered Pb2FeMoO6.•Strong correlation between the half-metallicity and cation ordering. We investigate the electric properties of Pb2FeMoO6 (PFMO), a double perovskite that can be grown in a bulk pure phase only via High Pressure/High Temperature solid-state reaction. The as-obtained PFMO is characterized by a high degree of cationic ordering at the B site between Fe3+ and Mo5+ and a ferrimagnetic transition with TN around 275 K. A semi-metallic to half-metallic transition seems to occur when the ferrimagnetic order arises thanks to the localization of a minority fraction of electrons on the Mo site. In this thermal regime, the system displays asymmetric magneto-resistivity, with selective-polarized carriers promoted by intense negative magnetic fields applied across the Néel transition during the cooling ramp. This cation-ordering related feature vanishes when the Mo-O bond length stabilizes, indicating a strong connection between the magnetic and electrical properties of this compound.