Particle size evaluation of europium-doped calcium manganites synthesized by the combustion method.

In this work, the synthesis of calcium manganites doped with europium was studied by the combustion method, using urea as reducing agent. The amount of fuel (urea) was varied in order to investigate the variation in the particle size of the ceramic produced. Calcium, manganese and europium nitrates were used as precursors of the solid solution. The ceramics obtained were subjected to particle size distribution analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The particle size of the ceramics was reduced from 276 to 37 µm. It was also observed that the morphology of the manganites varied depending on the amount of urea used.