Rare earth trisoxalatocobaltates(III) a precursor for rare earth cobaltites(III)

Abstract

Rare earth cobalties, LnCoO₃, can be conveniently prepared by the thermal decomposition of the precursor LnCo(C₂O₄)₃·nH₂O (La, Ce, n=9; Pr, Nd, n=8). CeCo(C₂O₄)₃·8H₂O, unlike the other oxalato compounds thermally decompose to a mixture of CeO₂ and Co₃O₄. Although LnCoO₃are formed from the precursors at a temperature lower than 800°C, thermal analysis of a mixture of La₂(C₂O₄)₃·10H₂O and CoC₂O₄·2H₂O at 900°C shows the residue containing mainly La₂O₃ and Co₃O₄ with a small amount of LaCoO₃.