Structure and properties of reduced LaCoO3

Changes occurring in the chemical state, and the crystallographic and electronic structure of LaCoO3 in a reducing atmosphere were determined. These determinations involved the use of thermogravimetric and calorimetric techniques, x-ray diffraction, and magnetic property measurements. It was shown that the reduction process proceeded through the formation of a series of oxygen-deficient structures. In the 0–3.25 wt% weight-loss region, corresponding to the general formula LaCo1−xO3−y, where 0.0