Low temperature synthesis and magnetism of La0.75Ca0.25MnO3 nanoparticles

We have reported here a new route to synthesize nanosized La0.75Ca0.25MnO3 perovskite crystalline complex oxides at a calcination temperature of 450-600 degrees C using the amorphous molecular alloy of La-Ca-Mn-DTPA as precursors. The size and topography of the. oxides are dependent on the calcinating temperature of the precursors. The resulting particle size is in a range of 20-100 nm as determined by transmission electron microscopy. The magnetization of La0.75Ca0.25MnO3 nanophase is strikingly dependent on the particle size. The magnetoresistance of the samples shows spin-polarized tunneling behavior at low temperatures. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.