Low temperature synthesis and some physical properties of barium-substituted lanthanum manganite (La_1−x Ba_xMnO₃)

Barium-substituted lanthanum manganite (La_1−xBa_xMnO₃) powders have been synthesized by a novel autoignition technique, and the effect of barium content on the autoignition characteristics, stability of the compound, and the powder characteristics have been investigated. X-ray examinations show that the material exists as a single phase having perovskite structure up to 40 at. % substitution of Ba for La, beyond which mixed phases of LaMnO₃ and BaMnO₃ are formed at least up to the highest limit of substitution (50 at. %) and calcination temperature (1350 °C) investigated. Electrical conductivity and thermal expansion behavior of the material have been studied for plausible use as cathode material in solid oxide fuel cells.