Magnetic, electric and thermoelectric behavior of electron-doped La1−xSbxMnO3 (x = 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15) manganites

Highlights: ► The physical properties of electron-doped manganites have been demonstrated. ► The effect of impurity in x = 0.15 sample on physical properties has been investigated. ► La1−xSbxMnO3 samples are exhibiting CMR property and are useful for device applications. -- Abstract: A systematic investigation of magnetic, electric and thermoelectric properties of sol–gel prepared electron-doped La1−xSbxMnO3 (x = 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15) was undertaken to understand the magnetotransport behavior. The X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements confirm that the samples with x = 0.05 and 0.10 are having single phase, while x = 0.15 shows a secondary phase. The second phase observed in the sample is found to have considerable influence on the magnetic and electrical transport behavior. The magnetic and electrical transport properties in low temperature ferromagnetic region may be explained in terms of spin waves and phonons, while in the paramagnetic region the adiabatic small polaron model is invoked. These materials are found to exhibit magnetoresistance values ranging from 30% to 40% and 55% to 65% at 3 and 7 T magnetic fields respectively