Bulrush-like double perovskite: Synthesis, tunneling magnetoresistance, and magnetocaloric effects

The recent observation of room temperature tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) in half-metallic A₂FeMoO₆ (A = Ca, Sr, Ba) double perovskites, and their importance to the emerging field of spintronics has led to considerable effort being dedicated to detailed investigations of the physical and chemical properties of these materials. This article will present an review of our recent investigations covering the synthesis, structures, magnetic and transport properties of "bulrush-like" A ₂FeMoO₆ (A = Sr, Ba). Utilizing the high shape anisotropy as well as the reactivity of A₂FeMoO₆ to water and a sonochemical technique, we managed to manipulate the properties of grain boundary barriers, and thus put forward a new approach for the enhancement of room temperature TMR. The magnetocaloric effects of A₂FeMoO ₆ double perovskites will also be discussed.