Effect of Synthesis Temperature on Structure and Magnetic Properties of (La,Nd)(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO(3) Nanoparticles

Two sets of Nd-doped La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO(3) nanoparticles were synthesized via sol-gel method with further heat treatment at 1073 and 1573 K, respectively. Crystallographic and magnetic properties of obtained nanoparticles were studied, and the effect of synthesis conditions on these properties was investigated. According to X-ray data, all particles crystallized in the distorted perovskite structure. Magnetic parameters, such as saturation magnetization, coercivity, Curie temperature, and specific loss power, which is released on the exposure of an ensemble of nanoparticles to AC magnetic field, were determined for both sets of samples. The correlation between the values of Curie temperature and maximal heating temperature under AC magnetic field was found. It was revealed that for the samples synthesized at 1573 K, the dependences of crystallographic and magnetic parameters on Nd content were monotonous, while for the samples synthesized at 1073 K, they were non-monotonous. It was concluded that Nd-doped La(0.7)Sr(0.3)MnO(3) nanoparticles are promising materials for self-controlled magnetic hyperthermia applications, but the researchers should be aware of the unusual behavior of the particles synthesized at relatively low temperatures.