La1-xCaxMnO3 bulk ceramic with Ca content of 0.28 was sintered from nano-powders synthesized by sol-gel method. Epitaxial thin films of La0.72Ca0.28MnO3 have been prepared on both untilted and 15 degrees vicinal cut LaAlO3 (001) substrates by pulsed laser deposition technique. The structure and surface morphology of LCMO samples (powders, target and films) were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and atom force microscope. The temperature dependence of the resistance was also studied. Large temperature coefficient of resistance value of 11.3% at 234.1 K was obtained for the film grown on titled substrate. (C) 2012 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.