Mechanochemical synthesis of LaMnO3 from La2O3 and Mn2O3 powders

Perovskite-type lanthanum manganite (LaMnO3) powder was synthesized by room temperature milling of La2O3 and Mn2O3 powders using a planetary ball mill. The synthesis reaction proceeds with increase in milling time and is finished by about 180 min. The reaction process was quantitatively evaluated by measuring the percentage of free (unreacted) La2O3 in the milled samples. The product powder (LaMnO3) has large specific surface area of about 10 m(2)/g, which is comparable to the data obtained by the complex chemical synthesis methods. The mechanochemical process can also be applied to synthesis of manganese complex oxides with other ran earth elements such as Pr. Nd and Sm. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.