Molten salt synthesis of SrFeO3 nanocrystals

Pure perovskite compound SrFeO3 nanocrystals were successfully synthesized in molten NaNO3–KNO3 eutectic with Na2O2 from a mixture of strontium nitrate and ferric nitrate. The effect of metal precursors, salt medium, annealing temperature (mainly 400–800°C), and oxidizing properties of the melt on the phase composition, crystallite size and morphology of the resulting metal oxides were systematically studied by simultaneous TG/DSC, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. The results showed that the formation of the SrFeO3 phase mainly depended on the nature of the metal precursor and salt medium. It was found that metal nitrates are the suitable precursors and NaNO3–KNO3 eutectic with Na2O2 is the suitable salt medium, which results in the formation of pure SrFeO3 nanocrystals at a much lower temperature of 400°C.