Reactivity in molten oxonitrates of lanthanum and maganese salts. Synthesis of La1-xMnO3.

The reactivity of each lanthanum and manganese nitrate and chloride is stud ied in four molten media, NaNO3, NaNO2, KNO3 and KNO2 at 500 degrees C. The lanthanum salts produce mainly hydroxide and oxychloride. The manganese sa lts give a variety of compounds, mainly oxides and also oxychloride and sod ium manganate. The reaction of the mixed metal salts leads to the perovskit e non-stoichiometric La1.xMnO3. The results can be interpreted in terms of acido-basicity of the lanthanum ion and of oxidation pathway of the mangane se species. The simultaneous presence of both metal ions in the media force s La1.xMnO3 to precipitate. The obtained crystallites are nanosized with a large surface area.