Influence of ZnO and TiO2 additions on structural, physical, and electrical properties of LaCo0.3Mn0.7O3 perovskite

Abstract Lanthanum manganite-lanthanum cobaltite (LaCo0.3Mn0.7O3) solid solutions have been investigated as potential candidates for ceramics, catalysts, and sensors. A microwave hydrothermal process was used to prepare LaCo0.3Mn0.7O3 powders, fired at temperatures of 600, 1100, and 1300 °C. The eff...

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Main Authors: M. A. Hessien, H. E. H. Sadek, H. H. Abo-Almaged, M. A. Taha, R. M. Khattab
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11040-8
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Summary:Abstract Lanthanum manganite-lanthanum cobaltite (LaCo0.3Mn0.7O3) solid solutions have been investigated as potential candidates for ceramics, catalysts, and sensors. A microwave hydrothermal process was used to prepare LaCo0.3Mn0.7O3 powders, fired at temperatures of 600, 1100, and 1300 °C. The effect of different transition metal additions (ZnO and TiO2) on the optimum selected perovskite was studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), bulk density, apparent porosity, and electrical, mechanical, and magnetic properties were used to characterize the obtained materials. The results indicated that the optimum perovskite phase was obtained at 1100 °C. Different amounts of ZnO and TiO2 did not react with the perovskite, which was a separate phase. The maximum density of about 4.55 g/cm3 was observed for the sample containing 10 wt% of TiO2, and a minimum porosity of about 2.5% is obtained for the sample containing 20 wt/% of TiO2, While the bulk density reached 5.7 g/cm3 and porosity of about 2% after the addition of 30 wt% of ZnO. ZnO enhances the sinterability, hardness, and conductivity of perovskite structure. On the contrary, TiO2 was added up to 20 wt% enhances hardness properties, while the conductivity is decreased by TiO2 addition. The hardness value reaches 6.76 in the case of 20 wt% TiO2 and 5.6 in case of 30 wt% ZnO addition. This is due to the formation of a large amount of the liquid phase, which acts as a barrier to charge transfer. The electrical properties of the LaCo0.3Mn0.7O3 matrix with varying TiO2 and ZnO contents, sintered at 1100 °C, were investigated through conductivity and resistivity measurements at 28 °C, 100 °C, 300 °C, and 500 °C. Upon increasing the TiO2 content from 10 to 30 wt% resulted in increased resistivity from 1.5 × 108 to 3.3 × 108 Ω cm and decreased conductivity from 6.5 × 10–9 to 3.5 × 10–9 S/cm. Conversely, increasing the ZnO content increased the conductivity from 3.5 × 10–9 to 6.3 × 10–9 S/cm and decreased the resistance from 2.85 × 108 to 1.5 × 108 Ω cm. In addition, all samples exhibited paramagnetic properties that decreased with the addition of transition metals.
ISSN:2045-2322