Na substitution for La- and Mn-sites in LaMnO3 from alkali halide fluxes: low temperature synthesis, structure and properties

La1−xNaxMn1−yNayO3 (0.12<x<0.16; 0.04<y<0.07) have been synthesized from NaBr and NaI fluxes at relatively low temperature of 850 and 750 °C, respectively. Final composition of these oxides was obtained from chemical analysis of the elements present. The flux grown oxides crystallize in the rhombohedral structure (space group R-3c, No. 167) and are ferromagnetic metals (FMM). Chemical analysis and Rietveld refinement of X-ray data indicate Na ion is substituted for both La- and Mn-sites in the compound prepared from NaBr and NaI fluxes with 33 and 49% of Mn4+ concentration, respectively.