Oriented nanocrystals in SrLaMnTiO6 perovskite thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition

We have fabricated SrLaMnTiO6 thin films by PLD on different substrates (SrTiO3, LaAlO3 and Si). Their texture, width, homogeneity and morphology have been evaluated from XRD, SEM and complex impedance spectroscopy. The thickness ranged between 500 and 8800 nm depending on the synthesis conditions. The epitaxial growing could be interpreted in terms of two contributions of microstructural origin: a matrix part and some surface formations (hemi-spheres), with different texture and size distributions. The films were nanostructured and contained vertically aligned nanopores (VANPs) with a pore average size of 30–60 nm, which are very interesting for eventual SOFC anode applications. Magnetization results indicate an improved response respect to nano-sized powder samples.

Research highlights▶ Perovskite SrLaMnTiO6 thin films have been successfully fabricated by PLD on different substrates. ▶ XRD, SEM and impedance spectroscopy techniques are employed to evaluate the texture, width, homogeneity and morphology of the films. ▶ The nanostructured films contain vertically aligned nanopores (VANPs) with a pore average size of 30–60 nm ▶ Magnetization results indicate an improved response respect to nano-sized powder samples.