Thermal decomposition products of the heteronuclear complex, LaNi(dhbaen)(NO3)(H2O)n

The heteronuclear LaNi(dhbaen)(NO3)(H2O)n complex was synthesized and its thermal decomposition products were analyzed by differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Hexagonal perovskite-type LaNiO3 having fine particle size was obtained by sintering at 600 °C. AES showed that the elemental distributions of La, Ni, and O on the surface were very homogeneous for the sample decomposed at 900 °C. The LaNiO3 decomposed to La3Ni2O7 and NiO when the heating temperature increases up to 1000 °C. Heteronuclear LnNi(dhbaen)(NO3)(H2O)n complexes (with Ln=Pr, Nd, Sm, and Gd) were also synthesized. The perovskite-type LnNiO3 phase could not be formed by their thermal decomposition.