Surfactant Effect on Synthesis of Nanocrystalline La$\text{}_{x}$Sr$\text{}_{1-x}$MnO$\text{}_{3}$ by Hydrothermal Method

Crystalline La$\text{}_{x}$Sr$\text{}_{1-x}$MnO$\text{}_{3}$ was prepared by a hydrothermal route in the presence of surfactant. The cationic surfactant of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a template is used to regulate the nucleation and crystal growth. The as-synthesized product was characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Nanosized and uniform rod-like monocrystals of La$\text{}_{x}$Sr$\text{}_{1-x}$MnO$\text{}_{3}$ were obtained. Their magnetic properties were studied using a vibrating sample magnetometer. Our results reveal that the use of surfactant helps to lower the processing temperature and to speed up the formation and crystallization of La$\text{}_{x}$Sr$\text{}_{1-x}$MnO$\text{}_{3}$. The surfactant also provides us an additional means of controlling the nanocrystalline size and maintaining the stoichiometry of the as-prepared nanocrystallites.