Lanthanum Calcium Manganate (LaCaMnO3) Semiconductors

Topics Covered

Description
Applications
Chemical Properties
Recent Developments

Description

Lanthanum calcium manganate crystals have a transition temperature that tends to increase with high doses of electron irradiation, which in turn allows the persistence of magnetic polarons up to higher temperatures.

Applications

Lanthanum calcium manganate finds applications in the following:

• Antimicrobial drugs
• Fuel cells
• Metal-air batteries
• Water purification technology.

Chemical Properties

The chemical properties of lanthanum calcium manganate are provided in the table below:

Recent Developments

Shantha K et al (2004) reported a novel, low temperature method for the synthesis of highly crystalline and homogeneous nanoparticles of lanthanum calcium manganese oxide. The nanocrystallites thus formed with average particle size of 30nm were found to possess a ferromagnetic–paramagnetic transition temperature of about 50K higher than that of a bulk single crystal.

In addition, the Rietveld analysis of the powder X-ray diffraction data of the phase-pure nanopowders revealed that the particle size reduction leads to a significant contraction of the unit cell volume and a reduction of the unit cell anisotropy.

Nanotechnology-based treatment of human diseases and water purification systems may be of high importance in the future. De D et al (2010) used Eu3+ doped lanthanum calcium manganate (LECMO) and lanthanum calcium manganate (LCMO) nanoparticles, and colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) materials to determine the antibacterial efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a soil and water born pathogenic bacteria.

The X-ray diffraction pattern showed the formation of a single phase LCMO or LECMO of an orthorhombic crystal structure. The data revealed that LCMO nanoparticles have higher antibacterial activity when compared to LECMO nanoparticles, and hence LCMO nanoparticles can be used in water purification technology and as antimicrobial drug.