Facile preparation of porous LaFeO3 nanomaterial by self-combustion of ionic liquids

A simple self-combustion of ionic liquid (IL) synthesis method has been developed for the porous LaFeO3 nanocrystals with a perovskite structure. The ILs were synthesized by Fe(NO3)(3), La(NO3)(3), and (C2H5)(3)NHCl. (C2H5)(3)N-HCl are not only the source of cation in IL, but also the fuels. The electrospray ionization tandem mass (ESI-MS) spectra verify the ionic liquid structure. LaFeO3 powders have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectrum (UV-Vis DRS). The results show that the nanomaterials have porous structure, large specific surface area (36.9 to 84.5 m(2) g(-1)), and excellent visible light absorption ability. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.