Effect of Mn doping on magnetic and transport properties of Nd0.5Sr0.5Co(1−y)MnyO3

Investigation of magnetic, electronic- and magneto-transport properties of Nd0.5Sr0.5Co(1−y)MnyO3 has been carried out with y=0–1. These studies, in effect, simultaneously reveal the effect of Mn doping on a ferromagnetic-metallic system Nd0.5Sr0.5CoO3 as well as the effect of Co doping on the antiferromagnetic-insulating system Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3. Our linear/nonlinear ac susceptibility and dc magnetization measurements indicate that in both the cases ferromagnetic–paramagnetic transition temperature decreases and resistivity increases. The magnetoresistance of the samples in the lowest temperature which is nearly zero for Nd0.5Sr0.5CoO3, has been found to increase monotonically with the increase of Mn substitution. This effect is attributed to the phase separation scenario. Upon increasing the concentration of Co in Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 no indication of ferromagnetic–metallic phase is observed. - Highlights: ► Effect of Mn doping in Nd0.5Sr0.5Co(1−y)MnyO3 has been investigated. ► Curie temperature changes non-monotonically with Mn concentration. ► Low temperature resistivity also changes non-monotonically with Mn concentration. ► Magneto-resistance increases monotonically with Mn concentration.