Nonlinear current-voltage characteristics originated from phase segregation and micro-cracks in polycrystalline La0.67Ba0.33MnO3

Polycrystalline La0.67Ba0.33MnO3 bulk samples were annealed in flowing 95%Ar:5%H2 (AH) mixed gas at 973 K for different time respectively. The influence of the annealing time on the current-voltage properties was systematically investigated. Linear current-voltage characteristics were observed in the as-prepared and the 10 h annealed samples, and nonlinear current-voltage characteristics was found in the 100 h annealed sample. At the same time, segregation of impurity phase and micro-cracks were found on the surfaces of the 100 h annealed samples, which was testified to be Ba ion impurity. Analysis showed that the changes of electronic properties were caused by barium ion impurities and micro-cracks in the 100 h annealed sample.