Microstructural Investigations of Nanostructured La (Sr)MnO3-(delta) Films Deposited by Electrostatic Spray Deposition

The deposition of (La0.85Sr0.15)0.95MnO3-(theta) films on an yttria-stabilized zirconia substrate was studied by the electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) technique. Films with various morphologies were obtained. The surface morphology was strongly influenced by the precursor solution flow rate and deposition temperature. Processes involved in the porous film formation were discussed. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the LSM hexagonal phase was formed and was nanostructured, consisting of crystallites of 60-75 nm on average, after thermal treatment ranging from 600 to 900 C.