Single-crystal rare earths manganites La1−x−yBixAyMnαO3±β (A = Ba, Pb): Crystal structure, composition, and Mn ions valence state. X-ray diffraction and XPS study

► Single crystals of La1−xBixMnαO3±β and La1−x−yBixAyMnαO3±β (A = Ba, Pb) are grown. ► The crystals are strongly inhomogeneous in structure and elemental composition. ► Mn4+/Mn3+ relative contents are determined from Mn2p and Mn3s spectra. ► Mn4+ content correlates with that of oxygen. ► simple model is proposed to explain the presence of Mn4+ ions.