Characteristics of La0.7Ca0.3MnO3-Cu composites fabricated by an electroless process

Ferromagnet-metal-type composites, La0.7Ca0.3MnO3(LCMO)-Cu, have been fabricated by a three-step route. We got LCMO powder using the conventional solid state method. Then, LCMO powders coated by Cu are obtained using a novel electroless plating technique, in which the contents of copper are controlled by changing the plating time. Finally these powders are pelletized and then sintered at different temperatures in argon. The powders coated by Cu are characterized by x-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The temperature dependence of resistivity and the magnetoresistance in the applied field of 3000 Oe are measured. It is observed that the metal-insulator transition temperature (Tp) is improved above 20K approximately up to 280K compared with that of LCMO powder using the conventional solid state method without being coated by Cu; meanwhile, a second broad peak occurs in low temperature in the resistivity-temperature curve when sintering temperature is changed. Also an anisotropic magnetoresistance effect is observed.