PrMnO3 Prepared by the Citrate Gel Method, Studied by XPS

In the present work a praseodymium manganite powder synthesized by means of the citric acid method is investigated by means of XPS. Besides the wide scan spectra, detailed spectra for the Pr 3d, Pr 4d, Mn 2p and O 1s regions and related data are presented and discussed. The praseodymium peaks position and shape suggest the presence of Pr(III) in oxide systems; Mn 2p peak is consistent with the presence of Mn(III) and/or Mn(IV) in oxides. The Pr/Mn atomic ratio ranges around 1; the O/(Pr+Mn) atomic ratio is higher than the expected value confirming the surface hydroxylation and carbonation. © 2009 American Vacuum Society.