Effect of Quenching on Magnetoresistance Properties in the Pr0.5Sr0.5MnO3 Perovskite Manganite

We report on the magnetization, resistivity and magnetoresistance (MR) measurements on polycrystalline Pr0.5Sr0.5MnO3. Quenching samples from 1400°C to room temperature in water (sample I) or in air (sample II) leads to different behaviors. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns for samples I and II could be indexed, respectively, in rhombohedral perovskite structure with R c space group and in the orthorhombic one with Imma space group. Magnetization measurements show that both samples exhibit a paramagnetic–ferromagnetic transition at 280 K (sample I) and 265 K (sample II). At low temperature, sampleI presents a ferromagnetic spin-canted state, while sample II behaves as an antiferromagnet below 160 K. Resistivity and magnetoresistance studies show a net difference as a function of the quenching conditions.