XPS and Mossbauer studies on BaSn1-xNbxO3 (x ≤ 0.100)

A few compositions of perovskite oxide BaSn1-xNbxO3 (with x <= 0.10) system, prepared by solid state ceramic method, have been studied employing XPS and Mossbauer spectroscopy techniques. Mossbauer spectra of these compositions in the temperature range of 78-300 K reveal that the oxidation state of Sn is +4. In XPS measurements, compositions with x <= 0.010 show no evidence of Nb5+ signal whereas the compositions with x >= 0.050 show clear evidence of Nb5+ signals indicating some unreacted Nb2O5 component in the system. This confirms the earlier report where presence of small amount of unreacted Nb2O5 was predicted. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All fights reserved.