Synthesis and characterization of perovskite-type La1-yCayMn1-xB″xO3±δ nanomaterials (B″ = Ni, Fe; x = 0.2, 0.5; y = 0.4, 0.25)

Abstract Perovskite-type nanomaterials of the compositions La 1-y Ca y Mn 1-x B″ x O 3±δ with B’’ = Ni, Fe; x = 0.2, 0.5 and y = 0.4, 0.25 were prepared using two different preparation routes (synthesis by precipitation and the PVA/sucrose method) at 500 °C–700 °C. The calcined products of the syntheses were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and physisorption measurements. The materials from the PVA/sucrose method contain particles with diameters from 33 nm to 48 nm, generate specific surface areas up to 33 m 2 /g and form pure compared to 45 nm–93 nm and up to 18 m 2 /g from precipitation method which contain a significant amount of sodium ions. The agglomeration process was analyzed for one nanomaterial (B’’ = Fe, x = 0.2, y = 0.4) from the PVA/sucrose method using temperature dependent XRD showing only a slight growth (4.3%) of nanoparticles at 600 °C. The materials from the PVA/sucrose method turned out to be more suitable as electrode materials in electrochemical applications (SOFC, sensors) because of smaller particle sizes, higher specific surface areas and purity.