Sr-doped LaCoO3 through acetate-nitrate combustion: Effect of extra oxidant NH4NO3

Sr-doped LaCoO3 (LSC) powders with a target composition La0.6Sr0.4CoO3 have been synthesized through acetate-nitrate solution combustion process. The effect of NH4NO3 as an extra oxidant on the powder characteristics has been investigated. It was found that NH4NO3 helps in obtaining the powder in bulk with the improved powder characteristics such as fine particle size, higher surface area and sinterability. The powder obtained through using NH4NO3 has shown a particle size of 50-100 nm and surface area of 14 m(2)/g. The powder could be sintered to 96% density at a sintering temperature of 1300 degrees C without applying any ball milling operation. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.