Sol–gel combustion synthesis of nanocrystalline LaMnO3 powders and photocatalystic properties

A novel LaMnO3 photocatalyst with perovskite structure was prepared by sol–gel combustion method. The combustion reaction mechanisms of nanocrystalline LaMnO3 powders were investigated by thermal analysis, infrared spectra, and X-ray diffraction technique. The results showed that the gels exhibited self-propagating behavior after ignition in air. Nanocrystalline LaMnO3 powders can be synthesized in one step by using sol–gel combustion synthesis. The photocatalytic activity of the LaMnO3 powders were evaluated by degradation of methyl orange (MO) in water under UV light irradiation. The results showed that the LaMnO3 powders exhibit good photocatalytic activities under UV light irradiation. The degradation percentage after 36 h on LaMnO3 powders was about 76%.