The structural, morphological and magnetic properties of Ag-doped La_0.8Ca_0.2-xAg_xMnO₃ synthesized by sol-gel method

Abstract

Abstract. In this paper, The authors report the structural, morphological and magnetic properties of La 0.8 Ca 0.2-x Ag x MnO 3 (x = 0, 0.03) prepared by sol-gel method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of samples reveal an orthorhombic perovskite structure with a space group Pnma. The lattice parameters, Mn-O bond length and unit cell volume increase with doping Ag whereas Mn-O-Mn angle decrease. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show thatLa 0.8 Ca 0.2 MnO 3 sample more porous than La 0.8 Ca 0.17 Ag 0.03 MnO 3 sample. Analysis using energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) confirms that there is no significant difference between designated and measured composition. M-H loop hysteresis indicate both sampleare paramagnetic materials which La 0.8 Ca 0.17 Ag 0.03 MnO 3 sample has higher susceptibility than the others.