Ferromagnetic insulating behavior at low temperature induced by Sn doping in the ceramic SrRuO3

Effects of Sn doping at Ru site on the structural, magnetic, and transport behavior of polycrystalline SrRu 1− x Sn x O 3 ( x ≤ 0.1) have been investigated here. Substitution of Sn 4+ for Ru 4+ remains the same crystal symmetry with that of Sn-free SrRuO 3 , while induces the Ru(Sn)O 6 octahedral distortions. Samples with the low doping concentration ( x ≤ 0.08) show a metallic behavior at high temperature, while a metal to insulator transition occurs at low temperature. On the other hand, an insulator behavior is detected for sample with x = 0.1, which follows Arrhenius-type process in the temperature range of 80–140 K and Mott's variable range hopping model in the temperature range of 140–300 K. Further, we find that Sn 4+ has a significant effect on the magnetic behavior of Sn doping in SrRuO 3 where ferromagnetic transition temperature and magnetic moment decrease rapidly due to octahedral distortion and site dilution.