Synthesis of LaCoO3 powder by a combined mechanical/thermal process

Lanthanum cobaltite, LaCoO3, finds applications as an oxidation and reduction catalyst in gas-sensing materials and in electrode materials for high-temperature fuel cells. The compound has been synthesized through several routes aimed at obtaining LaCoO3 at lower temperatures. We propose a synthetic procedure based on the combined use of mechanical and thermal energy on mixtures of Co(II) oxalate dehydrate and La acetate sesquihydrate. We studied the reactions taking place by increasing the temperature. The study has been performed either on mixtures prepared by a simple physical mixing of the reactants or on the same mixtures after having been subjected to mechanical activation by high-energy milling. The products formed in the mixtures by annealing at different temperatures have been characterized by means of different experimental techniques.