Modified self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of nanosized La0.7Ca0.3MnO3

A modified solid-state combustion route was developed for the preparation of nanocrystalline manganite La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 in a single-step process, using metal nitrates and glucose/KNO3 redox mixture. The obtained sample was found to crystallize within O′ type of orthorhombic perovskite structure (space group Pnma), without the presence of other structural phases or impurities. Nanoparticles are found to have particle size in the range 12–35 nm, and to be highly crystalline without the presence of amorphous surface layer. Magnetic measurements show that nanoparticles display bulk-like magnetic properties, with ferromagnetic phase transition at 125 K and the absence of superparamagnetic or spin-glass behavior.