Synthesis of crystalline YCoO3 perovskite via sol-gel method

Single-phase YCoO3 - delta powders were prepared from nitrates precursors. Aqueous solutions containing stoichiometric amounts of cobalt and yttrium ions were heat dried, and further thermal decomposition in air was performed, at temperatures ranging from 90 to 900 degreesC. X-ray powder diffraction was used to investigate the formation of the oxide. Thermal gravimetric analysis was made up to 1350 degreesC in air. A single-phase powder having the perovskite structure was synthesized at 900 degreesC. SEM and TEM were used to analyze the powder microstructure, showing micron-sized particles which are indeed formed by the agglomeration of nanoparticles. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.