Three different wet chemistry routes, namely co-precipitation, combustion and sol–gel methods were
used to synthesize LaFeO3 perovskite with improved surface area. The synthesized perovskite was
characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray
spectrometer (EDS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) nitrogen adsorption, ultraviolet diffused reflectance
spectroscopy (UVDRS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques. Improved surface
area was observed for all three methods as compared to the previously reported values. The perovskite
synthesized using sol–gel method yields comparatively pure, crystalline phase of LaFeO3 and relatively
higher surface area of 16.5m2 g−1 and porosity. The material synthesized using co-precipitation method
yielded other phases in addition to the targeted phase. The morphology of perovskite synthesized using
co-precipitation method was uniform agglomerates. Combustion method yields flakes type morphology
and that of sol–gel method was open pore type morphology. The selection of method for perovskite
synthesis largely depends on the targeted application and the desired properties of perovskites. The
results reported in this study are useful for establishing a simple scalable method for preparation of high
surface area LaFeO3 as compared to solid-oxide method. Further, the typical heating cycle followed for
calcinations resulted in relatively high surface area in the case of all three methods