Synthesis of La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 Nano-powders using Glycine-Nitrate Process for Anode of High Temperature Electrolysis

Lanthanum, strontium and manganese (LSM), as an oxygen-electrode (anode) material for high temperature electrolysis system (HTES), were synthesized by a modified-glycine nitrate process (GNP). The synthesis of LSM was carried out at three different conditions and the starting materials and solvent were also varied in this study. The ratio of La:Sr:Mn was fixed to 8:2:10 in the preparation. The ratio of LSM and glycine in the starting condition was 1:1. Based on the result of TG-DSC thermal analysis, the prepared LSM formula was calcined at 800℃ and then it was further sintered at 1200℃ to remove the organic residues from the material. Perovskite phase was observed and the secondary phases of Mn2O4 and La2O3 were detected in XRD measurement of the sintered powder. The microscopic structure of the powder was investigated by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and a size of each agglomerated powder was larger than around 200 nm. The powder was sonicated in distilled water for the deglomeration and then the particle size distribution was confirmed by TEM. The average particle size of the powder was about 10 nm. Surface areas obtained from Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area measurement (BET) at three different conditions were 2.9796m²/g, 0.5272m²/g and 1.8870m²/g.