Expounding the structural behaviour of Nd0.5-xNaxSr0.5MnO3 (x=0, 0.05, 0.10) manganites

The investigation of structure and x-ray photoemission spectroscopic study on Nd0.5-xNaxSr0.5MnO3 with (x=0,0.05,0.10) polycrystalline samples have been performed. The bulk polycrystalline samples were prepared by flux-assisted solid-state reaction method. The samples are showing mixed phases of orthorhombic (Imma and Pnma) and Tetragonal (I4/mcm) structure at room temperature. The morphological properties are probed using field emission scanning electron microscopy. The grains are irregular and distribution of grain sizes showing a log-normal kind of distribution. The Fourier transform infrared spectra show three prominent absorption bands corresponds to MnO6 the octahedra. A systematic analysis of electronic structures and chemical properties was conducted using the X-ray photoemission spectroscopy technique. The oxygen non-stoichiometry and its influence on the relative proportion of Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ ions in all samples are assessed by examining the areas beneath the deconvoluted X-Ray Photoelectron Spectra (XPS) of the core level spectra. [Display omitted] •Nd0.5-xNaxSr0.5MnO3 with (x=0,0.05,0.10) polycrystals were synthesized via flux assisted solid state reaction method.•The grains are irregular and grain sizes showing a log-normal distribution.•XPS spectra of Mn prove the existence of both Mn 2+ ions in Nd0.40Na0.10Sr0.5MnO3.•Chemical shift in the XPS core spectra of oxygen core is due to the changes in the first vicinity of the oxygen atom, as Na is substituted at Nd site.