For growing of Ba-doped single crystals by floating zone melting a shifted
content method was applied. Temperature dependencies of lattice parameters,
magnetization, resistivity and thermopower were studied. X-ray analysis sh
owed a structural transition from R3c to Pbmn structure at cooling, in the
interval 185 <T < 196 K both phases coexist. At the same time magnetic and
transport properties show a thermal hysteresis. Connection between structur
al, magnetic and transport properties are discussed using a phenomenologica
l theory. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.