Ultrasonic and microwave-assisted co-precipitation synthesis of pure phase LaFeO3 perovskite nanocrystals

Abstract

Orthorhombic structure perovskite LaFeO3 nanocrystals are synthesized by three simple and effective routes using octanoic acid as organic surfactant, namely co-precipitation, ultrasonic and microwave-assisted co-precipitation methods. The phase composition, morphology, lattice parameters and size of nanoparticles in these materials are characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. Magnetic measurements are carried out by a vibrating sample magnetometer on the resultant powders at room temperature. The perovskites synthesized using three methods yield comparatively pure crystalline phase of LaFeO3. However, the particle shape and size ranging changes from short rod-like nanoparticles in co-precipitation method to sphere-like nanoparticles in ultrasonic and microwave-assisted co-precipitation methods. In addition, the results show that the formation time is decreased considerably by ultrasonic or microwave irradiation.