Magneto-Transport Properties of Compression Molded CrO2-Polymer Composite

We report detailed electrical and magnetotransport properties of compression molded CrO2—Polyimide polymer composites. The electrical transport data of the composites in the temperature range of 15—300 K were analyzed using a two-channel conductivity model based on spin dependent tunneling and multi-step hopping. The low temperature conductance is essentially dominated by spin dependent tunneling. The contribution from the multi-hopping conductivity increases with temperature increase. The presence of significant magnetoresistance in this composite is attributed partially to the opening of new conduction channels at the CrO2—polymer interface.