Synthesis of nanometric LaCr_0.5Mn_0.5O₃perovskite at low temperature by the polyvinyl alcohol gel combustion method

Nanosized LaCr0.5Mn0.5O3 perovskite was synthesised with relatively high surface area (15.5 m2/g) at low temperature (650 °C) by the combustion method using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and corresponding metal nitrates. The perovskite was characterised by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller technique. The optimal preparative conditions were PVA/metals 3:1 by mole, pH = 3–4 and 80 °C for gel formation. Perovskite exhibits a good catalytic activity in total oxidation of m-xylene at the low temperature of reaction (250 °C).