Effect of Ni doping on magnetic and electrical properties of CuCr2Se4 single crystals

• The new single crystalline CuCr2−xNixSe4 spinels were successfully synthesized.
• All single crystals are ferromagnets and p-type metallic conductors.
• The higher Ni-content, the lower electrical conductivity and thermopower.

The X-ray studies showed that the new CuCr2−xNixSe4 single crystals crystallized in the spinel structure with the space group Fd3¯m. Magnetic measurements revealed that both the long and short-range magnetic interactions are comparable and do not significantly depend on the Ni-content. Electrical measurements showed that p-type metallic conduction, thermopower and power factor decrease as the Ni-content increases. These results are considered in a framework of the structural defects, double exchange mechanism and mixed valence band of the chromium ions.

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