Synthesis and structural characterization of Sm-SrNickelates

Abstract

The main purpose of this work was to obtain Sm-Sr nickelates nanoparticles with Ruddelsden-Popper type structuresobtained by a simple process such as gelatin synthesis. The powders were calcinated at 900 ºC and characterized by X-ray diffraction,thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques. Theeffect of chemical substitution of the Sm3+ by Sr2+ ions on the structural properties of the powders was studied. The Rietveld’smethod was successfully applied for determination of the quantitative phase analysis of the powders and revealed that the main phaseof the powders for different strontium content is of Ruddelsden-Popper type structure. A symmetry change from orthorhombic totetragonal is observed as increasing strontium