Synthesis and characterization of LaCr(1-x)MoxO3

Abstract LaCrO 3 is a well known perovskite compound utilizing as semiconductors, catalysts, fuel cell, electronic devices, and others. In this preliminary study, the properties of LaCrO 3 added by varying Mo contents were examined. TheLaCr (1-x) Mo x O 3 (with x=0.01 and 0.03) were synthesized by sol-gel pectin method using La, Cr nitrate, and ammonium molybdate as precursors, freeze-dried, and followed by calcination at 700 °C for 3 hours. The prepared materials were characterized using XRD, TEM, and DRS. The formation of the compounds for x=0.01 are La 2 Mo 2 O 9 , LaCrO 3 , and Cr 2 O 3 , and for x=0.03 are La 2 Mo 2 O 9 , LaCrO 3 , and La 2 O 3 . The crystallite sizes were determined using Scherrer formula and they are found to be 24 nm (x=0.01) and 33 nm (x=0.03). The TEM images showed that the obtained grains size was in the range of 24 nm (x=0.01) and 34 nm (x=0.03). The bandgap values are 2.59 eV for x=0.01 and 2.68 eV for x=0.03.