Synthesis, and measurement of structural and magnetic properties, of La1-xNaxFeO3 (0.0≤x≤0.3) perovskite oxides

Polycrystalline La1-xNaxFeO3 (0.0≤x≤0.3) solid solutions were synthesized by a solution combustion method using glycine as a fuel. The combustion synthesized compounds were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffused reflectance (DR) in the UV-vis, and magnetic measurements. The crystal structure examined by X-ray powder diffraction indicated that the samples were single phase and crystallized in an orthorhombic (space group, Pbnm no.62) structure. The parent and sodium-substituted compounds showed canted anti-ferromagnetic behavior associated with an increase in magnetic moment as Na content increased. The changes in magnetic properties of the materials were correlated to the changes in structural features, as shown by Rietveld structural refinement of the materials.