Thickness Impacts of Vacancy Defects in Epitaxial La0.7Sr0.3MnO3Thin Films Using Slow Positron Beam

Thickness effects of thin La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ (LSMO) films on (LaAlO₃)_0:3(Sr₂AlTaO₆)_0:7 sub-strates were examined by a slow positron beam technique. Doppler-broadening line shape parameter S was measured as a function of thickness and differnt annealing conditions. Re-sults reveal there could be more than one mechanism to induce vacancy-like defects. It was found that strain-induced defects mainly influence the S value of the in situ oxygen- ambience annealing LSMO thin films and the strain could vanish still faster along with the increase of thickness, and the oxygen-deficient induced defects mainly affect the S value of post-annealing LSMO films.     

Preparation and Magnetic Property of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 Nanorod by Combination Sol-Gel with Molten Salt

La0.7Sr0.3MnO3（LSMO） nanorods were synthesized by a method combining sol-gel with molten salts at 950 ℃ for 10 h, which employed KCl＋NaCl（mass ratio 4：1） as eutectic molten salts. The morphologies and magnetic properties of the resulting LSMO nanorods were investigated by X-ray diffraction（XRD）, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, transmission electron microscopy（TEM）, and vibrating sample magnetometer（VSM） measurements. It was found that the obtained perovskite manganite LSMO was a uniform nanorod with a diameter of about 50 nm and a length of longer than 500 rim. The Curie temperature（To） of the LSMO nanorod used here was 262 K, much lower than that of bulky single crystal LSMO（360 K）. The low Curie temperature might be a result of the great disorder near the grain boundary, which could be observed clearly from the TEM picture.     

Enhanced ferromagnetic transition and magnetoresistance in granular Ag-added La0.7Ca0.3MnO3

Granular Ag-added La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃ (LCMO) samples were prepared by a sol-gel chemical route. Significant enhancements in Curie temperature (T_C), metal−insulator transition (T_p) and magnetoresistance (MR) effects near room temperature are observed in as-obtained samples. 10 wt% addition of Ag in LCMO causes T_C shift from 272 to 290 K, T_p boost up for more than 100 K and resistivity decrease by more than 3 orders of magnitude. X-ray diffraction patterns, thermal analysis and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays evidently show the existence of metal silver in LCMO matrices. High-resolution electron microscopy illustrates a well crystallization for LCMO grains in existence of Ag. It is argued that improved grain boundary effect and better crystallization caused by Ag addition are responsible for the enhancements.     

脉冲激光沉积制备非晶La0.75Sr0.25MnO3薄膜用于半透明阻变存储器

用脉冲激光沉积方法制备非晶La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃（a-LSMO）薄膜作为阻变器件（Ag/a-LSMO/ITO）的中间层,所得器件具有良好的非易失性和双极阻变行为。ITO衬底及超薄a-LSMO薄膜具有很高的可见光透过率,从而可制备半透明阻变器件。通过高分辨透射电镜直接观测到了在银电极与ITO电极间的银导电细丝。器件的阻变特性归因于在非晶镧锶锰氧层中的银导电细丝的生长与断裂。     

PREPARATION AND CATALYTIC PERFORMANCE OF La0.5RE0.1Sr0.4MnO3 (RE: Y, Dy, Sm OR Ce) ULTRA-FINE PARTICLES in METHANE COMBUSTION

Ultra-fine particles of La_0.5RE_0.1Sr_0.4MnO₃ (RE: Y, Dy, Sm or Ce) with perovskite structure were prepared by the co-precipitation method, resulting in high surface area and good thermal stability catalysts (S_BET reached 45 and 16.5 m²/g, upon calcination at 700 and 1000^oC, respectively). The thermal stability of these ultra-fine particles was effectively improved with partial substitution of RE³⁺ (Y³⁺, Dy³⁺, or Sm³⁺) for La³⁺ in La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO₃. The catalysts exhibited high activity for the total combustion of methane. For the catalysts calcined at 1000^oC, La_0.5RE_0.1Sr_0.4MnO₃ (RE: Y or Dy) were much more active and showed much higher specific surface area than La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO₃.     

脉冲激光沉积制备非晶La0.75Sr0.25MnO3薄膜用于半透明阻变存储器

用脉冲激光沉积方法制备非晶La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃（a-LSMO）薄膜作为阻变器件（Ag/a-LSMO/ITO）的中间层,所得器件具有良好的非易失性和双极阻变行为。ITO衬底及超薄a-LSMO薄膜具有很高的可见光透过率,从而可制备半透明阻变器件。通过高分辨透射电镜直接观测到了在银电极与ITO电极间的银导电细丝。器件的阻变特性归因于在非晶镧锶锰氧层中的银导电细丝的生长与断裂。     

Enhanced magnetoresistance in La07Sr03MnO3 nanoscaledgranular composites

By soft chemical processing, two kinds of nanoscaled lanthanum manganite granular composites, La₀₇Sr₀₃Mn₃ / CoFe_2O4 (LSMO/CF) and La₀₇Sr_0.3Mn₃ / Nd₀₇Sr₀₃Mn_O3(LSMO/NSMO), were fabricated. Enhancement in magnetoresistance is observed in both of the composites. Different magnetic compounds, CF and NSMO, embedded in LSMO matrix, result in different temperature ranges where the enhancement occurs. It is considered that the phenomenon is associate with electron tunneling between sorts of grains as well as spin-dependent scattering.     

La<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORER) in alkaline electrolyte

Non-precious metal bifunctional catalysts are of great interest for metal–air batteries, electrolysis, and regenerative fuel cell systems due to their performance and cost benefits compared to the Pt group metals (PGM). In this work, metal oxides of La_0.1Ca_0.9MnO₃ and nano Co₃O₄₇ catalyst as bifunctional catalysts were used in oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORER). The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N₂ adsorption isotherms. The electrocatalytic activity of the perovskite-type La_0.1Ca_0.9MnO₃ and Co₃O₄ catalysts both as single and mixtures of both were assessed in alkaline solutions at room temperature. Electrocatalyst activity, stability, and electrode kinetics were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disk electrode (RDE). This study shows that the bifunctional performance of the mixed La_0.1Ca_0.9MnO₃ and nano Co₃O₄ was superior in comparison to either La_0.1Ca_0.9MnO₃ or nano Co₃O₄ alone for ORER_. The improved activity is due to the synergistic effect between the La_0.1Ca_0.9MnO₃ and nano Co₃O₄ structural and surface properties. This work illustrates that hybridization between these two metal oxides results in the excellent bifunctional oxygen redox activity, stability, and cyclability, leading to a cost-effective application in energy conversion and storage, albeit to the cost of higher catalyst loadings.     

All alkoxide route to manganate and coboltate perovskite films and powders: effects of processing parameters

Manganate and cobaltate perovskites having the general formula ABO₃ have many technologically important applications. Here we present all alkoxide based routes to manganate and coboltate perovskite films and nano-phase powders of the compositions; LCMO (La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃), LSMO (La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃), LNCMO (La_0.33Nd_0.33Ca_0.33MnO₃), LBSMO (La_0.75Ba_0.125Sr_0.125MnO₃) and LSCO (La_0.50Sr_0.50CoO₃). The Mn and Co (oxo) methoxy-ethoxide precursors were prepared by reaction of MnCl₂ or CoCl₂ with 2 Kmoe in methoxy-ethanol-toluene. After hydrolysis of the alkoxide solutions by atmospheric air all systems produced X-ray and electron diffraction amorphous gels of high elemental homogeneity, and the IR spectra showed that they consisted of hydrated oxo-carbonates. Heating in air resulted in similar weight-loss curves for all studied gels passing; loss of H₂O in the range 20–300 °C, decomposition of carbonate groups into oxide and CO₂ in the temperature range 300–700 °C, and in some cases loss of a small amount of oxygen in the temperature range 700–1,000 °C. The pure perovskites were obtained at 690–770 °C with heat rates of typically 5–20 °C min^?1 without annealing. Perovskites could also be obtained at 550 °C by annealing, but these perovskites are prone to be A-site ion inhomogeneous according to the TEM EDS studies, which was not the case for the perovskites heat-treated to at least the carbonate decomposition temperature. This A-site inhomogeneity is ascribed to sequential decomposition of carbonates due to their different thermal stabilities, which is probably a general feature also with other sol–gel precursors and low temperature annealing. High quality polycrystalline films were prepared on Si/SiO₂/TiO₂/Pt substrates with all compositions and high quality epitaxial films were prepared of LCMO (on 100 LaAlO₃) and LSCO (on 100 SrTiO₃). The colossal magneto resistance (CMR) of the epitaxial LCMO films of 32% (246 K) is in parity with PLD derived films. The conductivities of the epitaxial and polycrystalline LSCO films were 1.9 mΩcm (on STO) and 1.7 mΩcm (on α-Al₂O₃, respectively).     

Magnetic properties related to structure and complete composition analyses of nanocrystalline La1−xMn1−yO3 powders

Structural and magnetic properties were studied on La_1−xMnO_3±δ nanocrystalline powders exhibiting different La/Mn ratios. These compounds were prepared using a gel combustion method based on a cation solution soaking by acrylamide polymerization. Structural properties were studied both by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Complete chemical composition analyses were performed by induced coupled plasma spectroscopy and by iodometric titration. Proportions of parasitic phases in samples, as La₂O₃ or Mn₃O₄, and actual compositions of La_1−xMnO_3±δ phases were then determined from refinements of XRD data and sample chemical compositions. As a result, perovskite structure is not any more stable for La/Mn<0.9 as it decomposes into a mixing of La_0.9MnO₃ and of Mn₃O₄ phases, in agreement with results on thermodynamic equilibrium in the La-Mn-O phase diagram. For La/Mn>0.9, a high oxygen excess is observed and leads to consider the creation of vacancies on both lanthanum and manganese sites, whose concentrations are evaluated. Magnetic properties agree well with the proposed structures and sample compositions since for La/Mn<0.9, for which a La_0.9MnO₃ phase is always found, the Curie temperature remains constant and equal to 295 K (the highest temperature never observed before in such series of compositions), while for La/Mn>0.9, there is a formation of Mn vacancies giving rise to a lowering of Curie temperature resulting of a frustration of ferromagnetic interactions.     

Reverse micellar synthesis and properties of nanocrystalline GMR materials (LaMnO3, La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 and La0.67Ca0.33MnO3): Ramifications of size considerations

Nanoparticles of complex manganites (viz. LaMnO₃, La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃ and La_0.67Ca{0.33}MnO₃) have been synthesized using the reverse micellar route. These manganites are prepared at 800‡C and the monophasic nature of all the oxides has been established by powder X-ray diffraction studies. TEM studies show an average grain size of 68, 80 and 50 nm for LaMnO₃, La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃ and La_0.67Ca{0.33}MnO₃respectively. Ferromagnetic ordering is observed at around 250 K for LaMnO₃, 350 K for La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃ and 200 K for La_0.67Ca{0.33}MnO₃. These Curie temperatures correspond well with those reported for bulk materials with similar composition.     

The synthesis and complex anion-vacancy ordered structure of La0.33Sr0.67MnO2.42

The low-temperature topotactic reduction of La_0.33Sr_0.67MnO₃ with NaH results in the formation of La_0.33Sr_0.67MnO_2.42. A combination of neutron powder and electron diffraction data show that La_0.33Sr_0.67MnO_2.42 adopts a novel anion-vacancy ordered structure with a 6-layer OOTOOT' stacking sequence of the ‘octahedral’ and tetrahedral layers (Pcmb, a=5.5804(1) Å, b=23.4104(7) Å, c=11.2441(3) Å). A significant concentration of anion vacancies at the anion site, which links neighbouring ‘octahedral’ layers means that only 25% of the ‘octahedral’ manganese coordination sites actually have 6-fold MnO₆ coordination, the remainder being MnO₅ square-based pyramidal sites. The chains of cooperatively twisted apex-linked MnO₄ tetrahedra adopt an ordered -L-R-L-R- arrangement within each tetrahedral layer. This is the first published example of a fully refined structure of this type which exhibits such intralayer ordering of the twisted tetrahedral chains. The rationale behind the contrasting structures of La_0.33Sr_0.67MnO_2.42 and other previously reported reduced La_1−xSr_xMnO_3−y phases is discussed.     

Structural characterisation of the perovskite series Sr0.9−xCaxCe0.1MnO3: Influence of the Jahn-Teller effect

Fifteen perovskite-type compounds Sr_0.9−xCa_xCe_0.1MnO₃, x=0-0.9 in steps as fine as 0.05, have been synthesised by solid state methods, and the room temperature structures characterised using X-ray synchrotron powder diffraction. At low Ca contents (x?0.45) the structures are tetragonal in space group I4/mcm and at high Ca contents (x?0.55) the compounds are orthorhombic in space group Pbnm. At room temperature these two phases co-exist in the compound with x=0.5. XANES measurements show the Ce to be present as Ce⁴⁺ in all the oxides. High temperature structures are reported for selected members.     

Magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-based microspheres prepared by suspension polymerization in the presence of modified La0.75Sr0.25MnO3 nanoparticles

With the aim of preparing new magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) microspheres suitable for magnetic separation, La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ nanoparticles were selected as a core material. In order to improve their compatibility with PGMA, the surface of the nanoparticles was treated with penta(methylethylene glycol) phosphate methacrylate (PMGPMA) as a stabilizer. Subsequently, the nanoparticles were encapsulated by the suspension polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) resulting in a relatively homogeneous distribution of La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ nanoparticle aggregates inside the polymer microspheres. Microspheres in the size range of a hundred micrometers with a broad particle size distribution were obtained. PMGPMA can be considered to be an efficient compatibilizer between La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ nanoparticles and PGMA. Both PMGPMA-coated La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ nanoparticles and magnetic PGMA microspheres were characterized in terms of morphology, particle size, composition and magnetic properties by the appropriate methods, such as X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), light microscopy and SQUID magnetometry.     

Electrical properties of La0.6Ca0.4MnO3–Bi3.4Nd0.6Ti3O12 thin films derived by a sol–gel process

Magnetoelectric (ME) xLa_0.6Ca_0.4MnO₃–(1 ? x)Bi_3.4Nd_0.6Ti₃O₁₂ (LCMO–BNT) composite thin films have been prepared by a sol–gel process and spin-coating technique. The effects of LCMO content on the microstructure, leakage current density, ferroelectric properties, fatigue endurance and ME voltage coefficient of LCMO–BNT thin films derived by sol–gel method were studied. It was found that the composite thin films have better fatigue endurance properties and lower leakage current densities compared with pure BNT thin films, as well as large ME voltage coefficients.     

The reduction of alkali substituted LaMnO3

In order to determine the stability of some potential NO_x reduction catalysts (La_0.8M_0.2MnO₃, M  Na, K, Rb) the accelerated reduction of these catalysts in H₂, N₂ atmospheres was studied. La_0.8K_0.2MnO₃ goes through a reversible oxygen loss at about 350°C corresponding to the reduction of the available Mn⁴⁺ to Mn³⁺ in H₂, N₂ atmospheres. By reduction at higher temperatures a previously unreported phase La₂MnO₄ is formed. The most reducing conditions (10% H₂ in N₂, >940°C) formed only La₂O₃ and MnO. Between 700 and 880°C in 10% H₂ in N₂ potassium was eliminated from the sample by reduction to the metal and evaporation. Analogous results were found for Na and Rb substituted LaMnO₃ except that the intermediate phase La₂MnO₄ was not observed in the reduction of La_0.8Rb_0.2MnO₃.     

Synthesis,Phase Transition of La<Subscript>0.69</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.31</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Nanoperovskites Toward Its Versatile Structural,Electrical and Mechanical Properties Employing Ultrasonic Measurements

The present investigation correlates the propagation of ultrasonic waves with various micro structural features of nano La_0.69Sr_0.31MnO₃ (LSMO) perovskites with different grain sizes. A solid state reaction followed by the ball milling technique was used to synthesize the nano LSMO perovskite samples with various grain sizes. The occurrence of ferro-paramagnetic transition temperature (T_c) was explored through the observed anomalous behaviour in ultrasonic velocities, attenuations and elastic moduli. As the particle size gets reduced, lower T_c and broader transitions are observed due to the distribution of grain boundaries. The diffusion of the FM–PM phase transition along with decrease in T_c is correlated due to the effect of particle size. Furthermore structural, vibrational and electrical properties of nanosized LSMO perovskite samples with different grain sizes were studied by XRD, FTIR, BET surface area measurement, HRSEM, TEM and four probe conductivity studies. The phase of the synthesized nano LSMO perovskite samples are perfectly indexed to pure rhombohedral perovskite type crystal structure. The conductivity study proves the semiconductor nature of the nano LSMO perovskite samples. In addition to this, the peak broadening in ultrasonic studies at phase transition is in line with the observation made from the XRD pattern for the prepared nano LSMO perovskite samples.     

(La0.8A0.2)MnO3 (A = Sr,K) perovskite catalysts for NO and C10H22 oxidation and selective reduction of NO by C10H22

In this work, we studied the catalytic activity of LaMnO₃ and (La_0.8A_0.2)MnO₃ (A = Sr, K) perovskite catalysts for oxidation of NO and C₁₀H₂₂ and selective reduction of NO by C₁₀H₂₂. The catalytic performances of these perovskites were compared with that of a 2 wt% Pt/SiO₂ catalyst. The La site substitution increased the catalytic properties for NO or C₁₀H₂₂ oxidation compared with the non-substituted LaMnO₃ sample. For the most efficient perovskite catalyst, (La_0.8Sr_0.2)MnO₃, the results showed the presence of two temperature domains for NO adsorption: (1) a domain corresponding to weakly adsorbed NO, desorbing at temperatures lower than 270 ℃ and (2) a second domain corresponding to NO adsorbed on the surface as nitrate species, desorbing at temperatures higher than 330 ℃. For the Sr-substituted perovskite, the maximum NO₂ yield of 80% was observed in the intermediate temperature domain (around 285 ℃). In the reactant mixture of NO/C₁₀H₂₂/O₂/H₂O/He, (La_0.8Sr_0.2)MnO₃ perovskite showed better performance than the 2 wt% Pt/SiO₂ catalyst： NO₂ yields reaching 50% and 36% at 290 and 370 ℃, respectively. This activity improvement was found to be because of atomic scale interactions between the A and B active sites, Sr²⁺ cation and Mn⁴⁺/Mn³⁺ redox couple. Thus, (La_0.8Sr_0.2)MnO₃ perovskite could be an alternative free noble metal catalyst for exhaust gas after treatment.     

Perovskite-like La1−xKxMnO3 and related compounds: Solid state chemistry and the catalysis of the reduction of NO by CO and H2

The new compounds La_1?xM_xMnO₃ (0.05 ? x ? 0.4 for M = K; x = 0.2 for M = Na, Rb) have been prepared. La_1?xK_xMnO₃ (0.05 ? x ? 0.4), LaMnO_3.01, LaMnO_3.15, La_0.8Na_0.2MnO₃, and La_0.8Rb_0.2MnO₃ have been used as catalysts in the reduction of NO. La_0.8K_0.2MnO₃ has also been used in the catalytic decomposition of NO. The activity of these catalysts is related to the presence of a Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ mixed valence and to the relative ease of forming oxygen vacancies in the solid. The presence of cation vacancies in LaMnO_3.15 and the substitution of La³⁺ by alkali ions in LaMnO₃ increases the catalytic activity. The reduction of NO involves both molecular and dissociative adsorption of NO.     

Effects of magnesium substitution on the magnetic properties of Nd0.7Sr0.3MnO3

Effects of magnesium substitution on the magnetic properties of Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ have been investigated by neutron powder diffraction and magnetization measurements on polycrystalline samples of composition Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃, Nd_0.6Mg_0.1Sr_0.3MnO₃, Nd_0.6Mg_0.1Sr_0.3Mn_0.9Mg_0.1O₃, and Nd_0.6Mg_0.1Sr_0.3Mn_0.8Mg_0.2O₃. The pristine compound Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ is ferromagnetic with a transition temperature occurring at about 210 K. Increasing the Mg-substitution causes weakened ferromagnetic interaction and a great reduction in the magnetic moment of Mn. The Rietveld analyses of the neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data at 1.5 K for the samples with Mg concentration, y=0.0 and 0.1, show ferromagnetic Mn moments of 3.44(4) and 3.14(4) μ_B, respectively, which order along the [001] direction. Below 20 K the Mn moments of these samples become canted giving an antiferromagnetic component along the [010] direction of about 0.4 μ_B at 1.5 K. The analyses also show ferromagnetic polarization along [001] of the Nd moments below 50 K, with a magnitude of almost 1 μ_B at 1.5 K for both samples. In the samples with Mg substitution of 0.2 and 0.3 only short range magnetic order occurs and the magnitude of the ferromagnetic Mn moments is about 1.6 μ_B at 1.5 K for both samples. Furthermore, the low-temperature NPD patterns show an additional very broad and diffuse feature resulting from short range antiferromagnetic ordering of the Nd moments.