Experimental observation of charge ordering in nanocrystalline Pr$_{0.65}$Ca$_{0.35}$MnO$_{3}$

TL;DR

This study reports the first observation of charge ordering in nanocrystalline Pr$_{0.65}$Ca$_{0.35}$MnO$_{3}$ with 40 nm particles, highlighting the role of martensitic transition in nanoscale systems.

Contribution

It demonstrates charge ordering in nanocrystalline manganite, a phenomenon rarely observed at the nanoscale, and links it to martensitic character of the transition.

Findings

Charge ordering observed in 40 nm nanocrystals.

Charge ordering attributed to martensitic transition.

First report of charge order in this nanoscale manganite.

Abstract

Observation of charge ordering in single crystalline and bulk polycrystalline systems of various rare-earth based manganites is well documented. However, there is hardly any manifestation of the same when the grain size is reduced to nanoscale. We have observed charge ordering in case of nanocrystalline Pr$_{0.65}$Ca$_{0.35}$MnO$_{3}$ of average particle size 40 nm. This phenomenon is attributed to the primary role played by the martensitic character of the charge order transition in the material.