Synthesis and characterization of a binary system La2O3–SiO2 prepared by combustion method

La 2 O 3 –SiO 2 powders were prepared by the sol–gel and combustion method without addition of strong polar solvents to the initial system. Changes in the crystalline La 2 O 3 structure and modification of surface binary oxides system were described as a function of concentration of the second component, that is silicon dioxide. A series of samples of La to Si molar ratios of 1:0.0, 1:0.1, 1:0.2, 1:0.3, and 1:0.4 were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction, Thermogravimetric analysis, fourier transform infrared spectrum and low temperature nitrogen adsorption measurements. According to the results, even a large quantity of silicon oxide component in the binary oxides system led to relatively small increase in defects in hexagonal lanthanum oxides obtained in a non-aqueous medium. Graphical Abstract La 2 O 3 –SiO 2 binary oxide system was prepared by the sol–gel method without addition of strong polar solvents (e.g., water, alcohol). The present study is to propose a method for the synthesis of La 2 O 3 –SiO 2 samples with the use of three components (tetraethoxysilane, acetic acid, lanthanum acetate).