Polaronic Variable Range Hopping Mediated Electrical Transport Mechanisms in Ferromagnetic Pr2FeMnO6

The electrical transport properties of oxide materials are largely dictated by electron-phonon interactions, which often lead to the formation of polarons, significantly influencing the conduction mechanism. In the case of the ferromagnetic orthorhombic perovskite oxide Pr2FeMnO6, the material exhibits insulating behaviour at room temperature, with a resistivity of approximately 4.1 × 103 Ω·m. As the temperature decreases, the resistivity increases markedly, reaching 73.47 × 103 Ω·m at 122 K, with a pronounced rise occurring below 160 K. To elucidate the conduction mechanism, the Variable Range Hopping (VRH) model is applied. This model describes electron hopping between non-nearest neighbour sites, which becomes favourable when the thermal energy is insufficient for nearest-neighbour hopping. Instead, electrons preferentially hop to sites with lower potential differences. The temperature dependence of resistivity is well-described by the VRH model, confirming its applicability in this system. In addition to electrical transport, the structural and magnetic properties of Pr2FeMnO6 have also been investigated. Notably, the material exhibits a magnetization reversal at low temperatures, further enriching its magnetic behaviour and potential applications.