Preparation of Crystalline LaFeO(3) Nanoparticles at Low Calcination Temperature: Precursor and Synthesis Parameter Effects

Substantial effort has been devoted to fabricating nanocrystalline lanthanum ferrite (LaFeO(3)), and calcination is the crucial process of crystallization in both high-temperature strategies and wet chemical methods. Lowering the calcination temperature gives the ability to resist the growth and agglomeration of nanoparticles, therefore contributing to preserve their unique nanostructures and properties. In this work, we prepared crystalline LaFeO(3) nanoparticles with a calcination process at 500 °C, lower than the calcination temperature required in most wet chemistry methods. Correspondingly, the experimental conditions, including stoichiometric ratios, pH values, precipitants, complexant regent, and the calcination temperatures, were investigated. We found that the crystalline LaFeO(3) was formed with crystalline NaFeO(2) after calcination at 500 °C. Furthermore, the structure of FeO(6) octahedra that formed in coprecipitation was associated with the process of crystallization, which was predominantly determined by calcination temperature. Moreover, an illusion of pure-phase LaFeO(3) was observed when investigated by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, which involves amorphous sodium ferrite or potassium ferrite, respectively. These findings can help prepare nanostructured perovskite oxides at low calcination temperatures.