Insight of novel layered perovskite PrSrMn2O5+δ: A neutron powder diffraction study

Abstract

Neutron diffraction is very important to characterizing complex oxide materials, especially for the light element position and occupancy. In this study, a new layered perovskite oxide material, PrSrMn2O5+δ, was prepared by the solid-state reaction method and characterized by using X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. X-ray diffraction data showed that the material adopted orthorhombic symmetry and Rietveld refinement of the neutron diffraction data gave accurate unit cell parameters (a = 3.8907 (1) Å, b = 3.8227 (1) Å, and c = 7.6846 (2) Å, atomic positions and space group (Pmmm)). Scanning electron microscopy showed a porous and interlinked microstructure. Thermogravimetric analysis exhibited two-stage weight losses up to 1000 °C from room temperature, indicating a good amount of oxygen losses and high material stability.