Phase separation and its effect on transport properties in La0.5Ca0.5−xBaxMnO3 (0<x<0.5) system

Investigations have been performed on the effects of Ca2+ site substitution by bigger Ba2+ ions in charge ordered La0.5Ca0.5MnO3 through the measurement of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transport properties under zero field and applied magnetic field. The results show that the samples with x<0.3 are of single-phase while phase separation occurs when x exceeds 0.3. The effects of phase separation on the transport properties and magnetoresistance of La0.5Ca0.5−xBaxMnO3 are discussed.