The low frequency internal friction and electric magnetic properties in La0.7Pb0.3MnO3 bulk materials

The polycrystalline samples of La_0.7Pb_0.3MnO₃ synthesized by the sol–gel method were studied by the low frequency internal friction measurements and the resistance and ac susceptibility measurements. There are two internal friction peaks at 258 and 198 K, respectively, the peak positions of which do not shift with frequency but the peak heights of which decrease with increasing frequencies. The modulus softening is evident at the corresponding temperatures. Corresponding to the two internal friction peaks, there are two resistance peaks, and a sharp rise and a following continuous decrease of ac susceptibility. It is suggested that the high temperature peaks correspond to the paramagnetic (PM) to ferromagnetic (FM) transition, while the low temperature peaks originate from the process of an anti-ferromagnetic phase (AFM) separating from the ferromagnetic matrix (phase separation) in polycrystalline materials. The peak positions of internal friction and resistance will move towards higher temperature when the sample was annealed in flowing oxygen, and the low temperature peaks become smaller.