Influence of fuel ratio on synthesis and characterization of LaCoO3
perovskite nanoparticles by sol-gel auto-combustion method
Abstract
Recently, nanostructure perovskite oxides such as LaMO3 (M=Co, Ni, Fe,
…) received attention in academic researches due to its catalytic
properties. In this research, the LaCoO3 perovskite nanoparticles have
been synthesized by single-step route via the sol-gel auto-combustion
method. The precursors used in this method were lanthanum nitrate and
cobalt nitrate, as metals sources dissolved in distilled water and also
using PVP as a surfactant, Urea and glycine as an oxidizer. The sol
formed at stirring stage at 60 °C continued by gelation through the
water evaporation at 90 °C and then auto-combustion occurred. Product of
combustion step was washed and centrifuged three times and later
calcined at 600 °C for 2 h. As synthesized nanoparticles are
characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder
diffraction (XRD), and particle size analyzer (PSA). The
characterization results proved the synthesis of nanoparticles below 100
nm with perovskite structure in narrow size distribution by using this
method. The purity and size of nanoparticles vary depending on the fuel
and fuel to oxidizer ratio.