Effect of Co doping on the magnetic properties of La0.85Ag0.15(Mn1−yCoy)O3

The mixed valent manganites (La0.85Ag0.15)MnO3 with perovskite structure has been prepared by doping up to 50% of Co at the Mn site. Paramagnetic (PM) to ferromagnetic (FM) transitions have been observed in all the prepared materials. However, the long-range magnetic ordering observed in (La0.85Ag0.15)MnO3 is systemically reduced to cluster glass-type (short-range) of FM ordering due to the introduction of Co. The FM transition temperature was found to decrease with increase in Co doping up to 20% and for further increase in Co doping, the Tc was found to increase. They are explained on the basis of competition between FM double exchange interactions in Mn–O–Mn and Co–O–Co networks. In addition to PM–FM transition, evidences of FM to antiferromagnetic (AFM), and AFM to reentrant spin-glass transitions have been observed. The shift in spin-glass freezing temperature, Tf has been observed from the frequency variation of ac susceptibility measurements. The observed magnetic transitions are explained on the basis of magnetic interactions in different Mn–O–Mn, Mn–O–Co and Co–O–Co networks and such transitions are also observed from the measurement of third harmonic susceptibility. Metal–insulator transition and colossal magneto-resistivity have been observed up to 10% of Co doping.