Microwave synthesis of LaMO3 (M = Mn, Co, Fe) perovskites from crystalline hydrates of nitrates

The possibility of synthesizing perovskite-type LaMO3 (M = Mn, Co, Fe) oxides by microwave irradiation of crystalline hydrates of nitrates was studied. Oxides with the perovskite structure form at the microwave irradiation stage; however, the resulting product is not singe-phase. Additional thermal treatment of the microwave synthesis product at 600 to 900°C for 5 h is needed for a single-phase oxide to be formed in the case of M = Mn. In the case of M = Co or Fe, the samples contain considerable amounts of the simple oxides La2O3 and Fe2O3 or Co3O4 along with the perovskite. The synthesized products were investigated in nitrous oxide decomposition and methane oxidation as model reactions. As compared to the samples obtained by other techniques, they have a larger specific surface area and are more active.