Preparation by sol–gel and solid state reaction methods and properties investigation of double perovskite Sr2FeMoO6

Double perovskite Sr2FeMoO6 was prepared by two ways consisting in sol–gel technique and solid-state reaction method. The resulting powders from gel and mixed oxides precursors showed microstructures consisting of very fine grains (0.5–0.8 μm) and a crystalline perovskite structure. The structural and microstructural properties of the double perovskite Sr2FeMoO6 powders as-prepared and ceramics were compared. Tetragonal Sr2FeMoO6 pellets were prepared from the two powders by spark plasma sintering at: 1000, 1100 and 1200 °C and then annealing at 1200 °C, 2 h in 5%H2/Ar. The pellets presented different magnetic characteristics. The saturation magnetization of the samples prepared by sol–gel is close to those prepared by conventional synthesis method.