Structure and microstructure of La_0.8Ca_0.05Ag_0.15MnO₃ material synthesized by sol-gel method

The La_0.8Ca_0.05Ag_0.15MnO₃ material was prepared by the sol-gel method, sintered at 800°C for 24 hours. The material is derived from the La_0.8Ca_0.2MnO₃ material substituted by 15% Ag on the Ca-site. The substitution changed the lattice parameters, Mn-O bond length, and Mn-O-Mn bond angle. These can affect the transport of electrons from the material. The XRD data were analyzed using Rietveld refinement technique and show the material has a rhombohedral structure with the lattice parameters a, b, and c are 5.494, 5.494, and 13.33, respectively. The SEM data with SE mode show La_0.8Ca_0.2MnO₃ material substituted by 15% Ag seen the existence of agglomeration and porous. Furthermore, the material has a high homogeneity, this is seen in SEM data with BSE mode. The EDX results show that the silver has been successfully substituted into the La_0.8Ca_0.2MnO₃ matrix with the value at% for each element contained in the material close to value at% calculation. (paper)