Investigating the impact of sodium (Na) dopant on the structural, morphological, optical, and magnetic properties of LaPrSrMnO3 perovskite nanoflakes.

Here we report the structural, optical and magnetic properties of La_0.4Pr_0.25Na_xSr_0.35−xMnO₃ (x = 0, 0.05, and 0.1) synthesized using ball milling method. After milling, the precursors are calcinated at 1,200 °C for 12 h. The phase purity, crystal structure, lattice parameter, and crystallite size of the samples were determined using X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The peaks from XRD provide the perovskite hexagonal structure with an R 3 ‾ c space group. Surface morphology shows the recreation of spherical structure to nanoflakes/layered structures. The ultraviolet-visible diffused reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS) study indicates that the decrease in the band gap is observed with the increase of Na content. The intensity of the luminescence peak decreases progressively with the increase of Na doping. The room temperature (RT) magnetization of the samples reveals weak ferromagnetism and shows a novel vertical shift in magnetization at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]