Abstract

Annealing of pressed mechanical mixtures of finely grained La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ and coarse-grained SrZrO₃ at T = 1000–1300 °C was accompanied by a systematic decrease in SrZrO₃ lattice parameters with increasing La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ ∶ SrZrO₃ ratio and a corresponding decrease in sample magnetization at room temperature. EDX nanoprobe analysis of the composites confirmed substantial out-diffusion of La and Mn from La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ into the SrZrO₃ particles. This process, detectable at 1100 °C, leads to an almost uniform distribution of La and Mn (6–8%) in the SrZrO₃ grains and the corresponding changes in manganite particle composition at 1300 °C. Zr diffusion backflow is almost absent.