Orientation control and anisotropy evaluation of SLFC(Sr_3-xLa_xFe_2-yCo_yO_7-δ)-Based layered perovskite mixed ionic–electronic conductor

Crystalline oriented SLFC(Sr_2.45La_0.55FeCoO_7-δ) ceramics were fabricated by slip casting in a 6 T magnetic field followed by sintering, and their anisotropic electric conductivity was examined. The SLFC powder was synthesized from reagent grade SrCO₃, La(OH)₃, Fe₂O₃, and Co₃O₄ chemicals by the solid state reaction method. The slurry of the SLFC was prepared with ethanol as a solvent and poly ethylene imine as a dispersant. The crystalline orientation of the bulk body sintered at 1300°C for 24 h in air was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The c-plane of the SLFC unit cell was faced in the perpendicular direction to the applied magnetic field. The electric conductivity of the specimens in the parallel and perpendicular directions to the applied magnetic field were measured by 4-probe d.c. method. It was revealed that the textured SLFC has higher electric conductivity along the direction perpendicular to the c-axis.