Polysubstituted High-Entropy [LaNd](Cr0.2Mn0.2Fe0.2Co0.2Ni0.2)O3 Perovskites: Correlation of the Electrical and Magnetic Properties

La-, Nd- and La/Nd-based polysubstituted high-entropy oxides (HEOs) were produced by solid-state reactions. Composition of the B-site was fixed for all samples (Cr0.2Mn0.2Fe0.2Co0.2Ni0.2) with varying of A-site cation (La, Nd and La0.5Nd0.5). Nominal chemical composition of the HEOs correlates well with initial calculated stoichiometry. All produced samples are single phase with perovskite-like structure. Average particle size is critically dependent on chemical composition. Minimal average particle size (similar to 400 nm) was observed for the La-based sample and maximal average particle size (5.8 mu m) was observed for the Nd-based sample. The values of the configurational entropy of mixing for each sample were calculated. Electrical properties were investigated in the wide range of temperatures (150-450 K) and frequencies (10(-1)-10(7) Hz). Results are discussed in terms of the variable range hopping and the small polaron hopping mechanisms. Magnetic properties were analyzed from the temperature and field dependences of the specific magnetization. The frustrated state of the spin subsystem was observed, and it can be a result of the increasing entropy state. From the Zero-Field-Cooling and Field-Cooling regimes (ZFC-FC) curves, we determine the average and S-max maximum size of a ferromagnetic nanocluster in a paramagnetic matrix. The average size of a ferromagnetic cluster is similar to 100 nm (La-CMFCNO) and similar to 60 nm (LN-CMFCNO). The S-max maximum size is similar to 210 nm (La-CMFCNO) and similar to 205 nm (LN-CMFCNO). For Nd-CMFCNO, spin glass state (ferromagnetic cluster lower than 30 nm) was observed due to f-d exchange at low temperatures.

Automated summary

La-, Nd- and La/Nd-based polysubstituted high-entropy oxides were prepared by solid-state reactions, with their chemical composition correlating well with initial calculated stoichiometry. The electrical and magnetic properties were investigated, showing the dependence of particle size on chemical composition and the observation of spin subsystem states.