New Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) type phase LaSr₂MnCrO₇ has been synthesized by ceramic method. Rietveld profile analysis shows that the phase crystallizes with tetragonal unit cell in the space group I4/mmm. The electrical resistivity of the phase has been measured in the temperature range of 10-300 K using Leybold closed cycle helium cryostat. The phase shows insulator-metal (I-M) transition at low temperature, the phenomenon often associated with giant magnetoresistance. 3D variable range hopping governs the electrical conduction in the insulator region above the I-M transition temperature. Magnetic susceptibility of the phase has been measured in the temperature range of 100-300 K. Magnetic studies suggest that the phase is ferromagnetic.

In this paper, we report a surfactant-assisted self-sacrificing route for synthesis of Eu³⁺ doped LaPO4 nanostructures under hydrothermal conditions using the La(OH)CO₃ : Eu³⁺ precursor as a template andNH₄H₂PO₄ as the phosphate source. The synthesis was carried out in the absence and presence of surfactant [cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)] and two different solvents (water and ethylene glycol). The precursor and products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopyand photoluminescence studies. Influence of surfactant and solvents on morphology and luminescence of the final product in sacrificial template-assisted method has been investigated in detail.