Figure 5.

HRFESEM micrographs of La_0.43Ca_0.37Ni_0.06Ti_0.94O_3−δ (a) as-synthesized and after (b) 1, (c), 3 and (d) 5 reduction MW cycles. Nanoparticles emerge over the surface of the material after the application of MW radiation. (e) Comparison between different MW reduction cycles applied to LCTN. Although NP populations do not significantly change after successive cycles, Ni continues exsolving. This fact can be seen in the growing mean sizes of the NPs and the increase in exsolved Ni atoms after different MW exsolution cycles.