Effects of Different Sintering Methods on the Structural and Electrical Properties of Ca0.9Sr0.1MnO3

Nano-crystalline Ca0.9Sr0.1MnO3 powders were synthesized through citrate sol-gel method. Two different sintering techniques, i.e., conventional sintering and microwave sintering were employed to sinter the prepared samples at 1123 K. The high value of relative density was achieved for both the samples. Phase confirmation, surface morphology, and elemental composition were carried out by powder x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy, respectively. DC four-probe measurement results revealed that the microwave sintered sample has higher electrical conductivity values than the conventional sintered sample. The conventional sintered sample exhibited semiconductor nature, whereas the microwave sintered sample indicated semi-metallic properties from room temperature to 673 K.