Magnetization, magnetotransport and electron magnetic resonance studies of nanoparticles and nanowires of Pr_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃

Abstract

In this paper, we present the preparation and characterization of nanoparticles and nanowires of Pr_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ (PSMO). The main results of this investigation are as follows: (a) a comparison with the properties of the bulk material shows that the ferromagnetic (FM) transition at 270 K remains unaffected but the anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) transition at T_N = 150 K disappears in the nanoparticles, (b) the size induced ground state magnetic phase (below 150 K) is predominantly FM, coexisting with a residual AFM phase, and (c) the temperature dependence of magnetic anisotropy shows complex behaviour, being higher in the nanoparticles at high temperatures and lower at moderately lower temperatures in comparison with the bulk. The results obtained from the extensive magnetization, magnetotransport and electron magnetic resonance studies made on various samples are presented and discussed in detail.