LaMnO3 characterization with sol-gel method

In this study, LaMnO3 ceramic material was produced for using as cathode in the solid oxide fuel cells by using sol-gel route. Nitrates, methanol and acetyl acetone were used as precursors, solvent and chelating agent, respectively. Acetone were also used as solvent and chelating agent respectively. Coating was carried out by dipping the substrate in to the prepared solution. After holding the substrate in solution for a while, it is taken into the preheated (500 °C) vertical furnace to fire then it is annealed at 1025 °C?ın the air. Coated films were characterized by means of X- ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Focused Ion Beam, Atomic Force Microscopy. Resistivity of the coated film was also measured by Van der Pauw method. From the X-ray diffraction peaks, it is seen LaMnO3 phase was formed on the Al2O3 single crystal. From SEM characterization, a homogenously coated surface was seen, and few porous, which are randomly distributed, also seen. Grain size was estimated to be 60-80 nm from AFM images. Thickness of the two times dipped film were measured as 180 nm from the FIB measurement. Specific resistivity of the film was calculated as 0,524 ? m.