On the synthesis and stability of La0.6Sr0.4Ga0.3Fe0.7O3

La0.6Sr0.4Ga0.3Fe0.7O3 is a MIEC perovskite with great chemical and thermal stability, considered a promising material for oxygen separation dense membranes and as an electrode in SOFCs. An easy, economic and scalable wet chemistry synthesis of La0.6Sr0.4Ga0.3Fe0.7O3 (LSGF) was studied step by step, investigating and optimizing the most important aspects and parameters of the procedure (chemicals, pH, calcination temperature...). The obtained powders were carefully characterized with XRD, XPS, SEM/EDX and TPR. Once optimized the synthesis procedure, the stability in reducing condition and the reversibility of changes were tested submitting the samples to reduction/oxidation cycles at temperatures between 800/1000 °C. The influence of the synthesis parameters on stability/reversibility was investigated. The material is completely stable up to 800 °C even in aggressive reducing atmospheres. Reduction occurring at higher temperatures is reversible: a simple treatment in oxygen is enough to entirely re-absorb the side phases formed during the reduction and obtain the starting material.