Phase, morphology and core-level electron spectroscopy of nano-sized La0.65Sr0.35MnO3 powders prepared by solution combustion synthesis

Nanocrystalline La0.65Sr0.35MnO3 powders were synthesized by modified solution combustion route. The X-ray diffraction patterns of powders calcined at different temperatures were analyzed by Rietveld programme. The synthesized bulk polycrystalline sample were in 100% perovskite phase and showed an increase in particle size from 22.9 nm to 55.9 nm with the increase in the calcinations temperature from 650 °C to 850 °C. The grain boundary of sintered pellet observed under electron microscope was devoid of any precipitation related to MnO2, SrO and the La–Mn–Sr–O phases. The core level photoelectron spectra of lanthanum, strontium, manganese and oxygen were studied in detail. The average chemical composition obtained from the XPS measurement was found to be La0.62Sr0.38Mn1.11O3.44. Curie temperature for the 50 nm powder was around 365 K and saturation magnetization at 100 K was 60 emu/g.

► Modified solution combustion technique used to prepare nanocrystalline LSMO powder.
► Nanocrystalline LSMO powder produced at relatively low calcinations temperature.
► Rietveld and XPS measurements confirmed the mixed valency of Mn ions.
► Blocking and Curie temperature is 250 K and 360 K for 50 nm LSMO powder.