Homogeneity range of neodymium manganite in air

The solubility boundaries for Nd₂O₃ and manganese oxides in NdMnO_{3 ± δ} have been determined by X-ray powder diffraction analysis of homogeneous phases and heterogeneous compositions of the general formula Nd_{2 ? x} Mn _x O_{3 ± δ} (0.90 ≤ x ≤ 1.20; Δx = 0.02) prepared by ceramic technology from constituent oxides in air in the temperature range 900–1400°C. The results are presented in the form of a fragment of the Nd-Mn-O phase diagram in air. It is suggested that the Nd₂O₃ solubility in NdMnO_{3 ± δ} is due to crystal defects and the solubility of manganese oxides is in addition due to the disproportionation reaction 2Mn³⁺ = Mn²⁺ + Mn⁴⁺ and the subsequent partial substitution of divalent for tervalent manganese ions in the cuboctahedral positions of the perovskite-like crystal lattice. To verify this suggestion, it is necessary to systematically study the oxygen nonstoichiometry δ in Nd_{2 ? x} Mn _x O_{3 ± δ} as a function of x and synthesis temperature and structurally study this oxide with these parameters being varied.