Structural and electrical characterization of La0.72Ca0.28MnO3 ceramic and thin films

La1−xCaxMnO3 bulk ceramic with Ca content of 0.28 was sintered from nano-powders synthesized by sol–gel method. Epitaxial thin films of La0.72Ca0.28MnO3 have been prepared on both untilted and 15° vicinal cut LaAlO3 (0 0 1) substrates by pulsed laser deposition technique. The structure and surface morphology of LCMO samples (powders, target and films) were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and atom force microscope. The temperature dependence of the resistance was also studied. Large temperature coefficient of resistance value of 11.3% at 234.1 K was obtained for the film grown on titled substrate.