Variation of surface properties and textural features of spinel ZnAl2O4 and perovskite LaMnO3 nanoparticles prepared via CTAB-butanol-octane-nitrate salt microemulsions in the reverse and bicontinuous states

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science Vol. 259; no. 2; pp. 244 - 253
• Main Authors: GIANNAKAS, A. E, VAIMAKIS, T. C, LADAVOS, A. K, TRIKALITIS, P. N, POMONIS, P. J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier 15.03.2003
• Subjects: Catalysis; Catalysts: preparations and properties; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Elements and non-metal compounds (oxides, hydroxides, hydrides, sulfides, carbides, ...); Emulsions. Microemulsions. Foams; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Inorganic chemistry and origins of life; Preparations and properties; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Aluminium oxide; Ternary compound; Transition metal Compounds; Bicontinuous microemulsion: Spinel ZnAl2O4: Perovskite LaMnO3; Experimental study; Microemulsion : Reverse microemulsion; Lanthanum oxide; Lanthanide compound; Perovskite; Pore size; Manganese oxides; Spinel; Preparation; Surface properties; Zinc oxide; Surface area; Microemulsion
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9797(02)00068-1

Two binary oxides, a spinel, ZnAl2O4, and a typical perovskite, LaMnO3, have been prepared via CTAB-1-butanol-n-octane-nitrate salt microemulsion in the reverse and bicontinuous states. The exact point of the reverse and bicontinuous states of the microemulsion used in the synthesis was determined by conductivity experiments. The materials obtained after heating at 800 degrees C were characterized by XRD analysis for their crystal structure, N2 porosimetry for their surface area and porosity, and SEM and TEM photography for their texture. The ZnAl2O4 spinel obtained via the reverse microemulsion appears in SEM in a more fragmented form and with a higher specific surface area (143.7 m(2)g(-1)), compared to the corresponding solid prepared via the bicontinuous microemulsion, which appears more robust with lower surface area (126.7 m(2)g(-1)). Nevertheless both materials reveal in TEM a sponge-like structure. The perovskite materials LaMnO3 prepared via the reverse microemulsion showed in SEM a peculiar doughnut-like texture, each doughnut-like secondary particle having a diameter of 2 microm. The corresponding sample developed via the bicontinuous microemulsion showed in SEM uniform secondary particles of size approximately 0.2 microm. Both perovskite samples LaMnO3 appear well crystallized with relative low surface areas, 23.7 m(2)g(-1) for the reverse sample and 10.9 m(2)g(-1) for the bicontinuous one. The TEM photographs reveal that both of them, of reversed and bicontinuous origin, are made up of primary nanoparticles in the size range 40-100 nm. In SEM those materials showed a different secondary structure.