Influence of citrate–nitrate reaction mixture packing on ceramic powder properties

Lanthanum chromite-based materials have a good prospect for use in various high temperature applications, as well as an SOFC separator. A citrate–nitrate gel combustion reaction was used for the preparation of submicron crystalline strontium-substituted lanthanum chromite (LSC). The effect of the fuel-oxidant molar ratio and sample form prior to combustion was investigated in terms of reaction period, phase formation, particle size, morphology and agglomerate formation. Several characterization methods including scanning electron microscopy, mercury porosimetry, BET measurement, X-ray powder diffraction and thermal analysis were used to evaluate the influence of reaction mixture packing on powder characteristics for different citrate–nitrate (c/n) ratios. It was shown that the reaction period depends on the fuel/oxidant ratio and reaction mixture packing. The LSC powders prepared via the combustion route exhibited surface areas of about 12 m2/g for the loose packed layer prepared samples and 7 to 11 m2/g for samples prepared from a pellet. The nature of the agglomerates was studied from the pore size distribution in the green compacts pressed at different pressures. The sintering behaviour of powders and some of the electrical properties of sintered samples are reported. Sintering tests on LSC powders prepared via the combustion route showed that the sintering process started at about 900°C and proceeded in two steps in the presence of a liquid phase.