Synthesis and characterization of La10Si6O27

Oxide ion conductors are an important group of materials which have been increasingly studied due to their applications in many devices of high technological interest, especially in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) which are efficient and environmentally friendly energy convertors. In this work we study an inexpensive, suitable and recyclable material with apatite structure. Lanthanum silicate with apatite type structure, La10Si6O27,was synthesized by two pathways: sol-gel and co-precipitation. The as-obtained powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Samples with different morphologies consisting of a mixture of phases were obtained.