Colossal thermoelectric power in charge-ordered Li-doped La0.75Li0.25MnO3 manganite system

Abstract

A detail study of transport and magnetic properties of La1-xLixMnO3+δ (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) system synthesized by wet-chemical mixing route has been done. The room temperature x-ray powder diffraction (XRD) data show single phase behavior of all samples except x = 0.3. Rietveld refinement of XRD data shows structural transition from rhombohedral (R3-C) to orthorhombic (Pnma) symmetry occurs at the Li-doping level x > 0.2 with both the lattice parameter and unit-cell volume decrease with increase of 'x'. All the samples show ferromagnetic (FM) behavior while metallic behavior are shown by the samples up to Li-concentration x = 0.2. With further Li doping i.e. for x = 0.25, the sample shows insulating behavior accompanied by charge-order transition around T ~ 225K. Metallic part of the resistivity data of the samples is best fitted with an expression ρ(T) = ρ0 + ρ4.5T4.5 + C/ sinh2(hvs/2kBT) containing small-polaron contribution (last term). Most interesting finding in the present study is the observation of large anomalous decrease in thermoelectric power (S) below 100K shown by the sample with x = 0.25. Probable mechanisms responsible for the observed colossal thermoelectric power have been discussed. © 2016 Author(s).