Oxygen storage material and method for producing the same

Abstract

An oxygen storage material comprises a LaCoAl-based composite oxide containing lanthanum, cobalt and aluminum. The LaCoAl-based composite oxide is in a form in which at least part of the aluminum is solid-dissolved in a LaCo composite oxide having a perovskite structure, and has a composition expressed by the following chemical formula (1):
LaCo.sub.yAl.sub.xO.sub.(1)
where x and y are numbers satisfying conditions of 0<x <1 and 0<y<1, where x+y=0.5 to 1.5, and is a number of 1.5 to 4.5.

Claims

1. An oxygen storage material comprising a LaCoAl-based composite oxide containing lanthanum, cobalt and aluminum, wherein the LaCoAl-based composite oxide is in a form in which at least part of the aluminum is solid-dissolved in a LaCo composite oxide having a perovskite structure, and has a composition expressed by the following chemical formula (1):
LaCo.sub.yAl.sub.xO.sub.(1) where x and y are numbers satisfying conditions of 0<x<1 and 0<y<1, where x+y=0.5 to 1.5, and is a number of 1.5 to 4.5.

2. The oxygen storage material according to claim 1, wherein in the chemical formula (1), x and y are numbers satisfying conditions of x=0.1 to 0.5 and y=0.5 to 0.9, where x+y=1, and is 3.

3. The oxygen storage material according to claim 1, wherein 90 at % or more of the aluminum is solid-dissolved in the LaCo composite oxide.

4. The oxygen storage material according to claim 1, wherein the LaCoAl-based composite oxide is a composite oxide having a perovskite structure in which a tolerance factor (t) is within a range of 0.975 to 1.007, the tolerance factor (t) defined by the following formula (2):
t=(r.sub.A+r.sub.O)/{2.sup.1/2(r.sub.B+r.sub.O)}(2) where t is the tolerance factor, r.sub.A is an ionic radius of La, r.sub.B is an arithmetic mean of ionic radii of Co and Al, and r.sub.O is an ionic radius of an oxide ion (O.sup.2).

5. A method for producing an oxygen storage material, comprising the steps of: forming a metal hydroxycarboxylic acid complex in a solution containing a lanthanum salt, a cobalt salt and an aluminum salt as raw material salts, hydroxycarboxylic acid, and glycol; causing esterification reaction in the solution to form a polymer gel in which the metal hydroxycarboxylic acid complex is dispersed; thermally decomposing the polymer gel to obtain a metal oxide precursor; and calcining the metal oxide precursor to obtain the oxygen storage material comprising the LaCoAl-based composite oxide according to claim 1.

6. The method for producing an oxygen storage material according to claim 5, wherein in the chemical formula (1), x and y are numbers satisfying conditions of x=0.1 to 0.5 and y=0.5 to 0.9, where x+y=1, and is 3.

7. The method for producing an oxygen storage material according to claim 5, wherein 90 at % or more of the aluminum is solid-dissolved in the LaCo composite oxide.

8. The method for producing an oxygen storage material according to claim 5, wherein the LaCoAl-based composite oxide is a composite oxide having a perovskite structure in which a tolerance factor (t) is within a range of 0.975 to 1.007, the tolerance factor (t) defined by the following formula (2):
t=(r.sub.A+r.sub.O)/{2.sup.1/2(r.sub.B+r.sub.O)}(2) where t is the tolerance factor, r.sub.A is an ionic radius of La, r.sub.B is an arithmetic mean of ionic radii of Co and Al, and r.sub.O is an ionic radius of an oxide ion (O.sup.2).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a graph presenting X-ray diffraction patterns of composite oxides obtained in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, a part (a) presents XRD full angular patterns and a part (b) presents patterns at 2=32 to 35.

(2) FIG. 2 is a graph presenting an analysis result of the lattice parameters of the composite oxides obtained in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2.

(3) FIG. 3 is a graph presenting X-ray diffraction patterns of the composite oxides obtained in Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 after Heat-Resistance Test.

(4) FIG. 4 is a graph presenting an oxygen storage capacity (OSC) at 400 C. of the composite oxides obtained in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2.

(5) FIG. 5 is a graph presenting an oxygen release rate (O-release rate) at 400 C. of the composite oxides obtained in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2.

(6) FIG. 6 is a graph presenting a tolerance factor of the composite oxides obtained in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(7) Hereinafter, the present invention is described in detail based on preferred embodiments of the present invention.

(8) First, an oxygen storage material of the present invention is described. The oxygen storage material of the present invention is an oxygen storage material comprising a LaCoAl-based composite oxide containing lanthanum, cobalt and aluminum, wherein

(9) the LaCoAl-based composite oxide is in a form in which at least part of the aluminum is solid-dissolved in a LaCo composite oxide having a perovskite structure, and has a composition expressed by the following chemical formula (1):
LaCo.sub.yAl.sub.xO.sub.(1)
where x and y are numbers satisfying conditions of 0<x<1 and 0<y<1, where x+y=0.5 to 1.5, and is a number of 1.5 to 4.5.

(10) The LaCoAl-based composite oxide according to the present invention is the composite oxide containing the lanthanum (La), the cobalt (Co) and the aluminum (Al), and is in the form in which at least part of the aluminum is solid-dissolved in the LaCo composite oxide having the perovskite structure. Basically, the LaCo composite oxide has a perovskite structure, and has a good oxygen storage capacity (OSC) at a relatively low temperature. However, the LaCo composite oxide, as it is, has low heat resistance and an insufficient oxygen release rate. In addition, even though alumina is simply added to (for example, physically mixed in) the LaCo composite oxide, the alumina does not contribute to the enhancements of the heat resistance and the oxygen release rate. In contrast, the LaCoAl-based composite oxide according to the present invention is in the form in which at least part of the aluminum is solid-dissolved in the LaCo composite oxide having the perovskite structure. The present inventors surmise that Al substituted for part of the Co site while maintaining the perovskite structure relaxes a distortion of the perovskite structure and stabilizes the perovskite phase to enhance the heat resistance, and reduces the activation energy for oxygen release to enhance the oxygen release rate.

(11) Here, the space group of the perovskite structure in the LaCo composite oxide is generally R-3c. Assuming such a space group of the perovskite structure, the formation of the solid solution phase in which the aluminum is solid-dissolved in the LaCo composite oxide having the perovskite structure can be confirmed by observing that a change in the lattice parameter (lattice constant) demonstrates linearity along with an increase in the amount of aluminum solid-dissolved in accordance with Vegard's law.

(12) In the oxygen storage material of the present invention, at least part of the aluminum just has to be solid-dissolved in the LaCo composite oxide. However, from the viewpoint that the oxygen release rate and the heat resistance are further enhanced, it is preferable that 90 at % or more of the aluminum be solid-dissolved in the LaCo composite oxide, and it is particularly preferable that 95 at % or more of the aluminum be solid-dissolved in the LaCo composite oxide. In this regard, the solid dissolution of 90 at % or more (particularly preferably, 95 at % or more) of the aluminum in the LaCo composite oxide as described above can be verified by an X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement, to be described later, observing the absence of peaks corresponding to the alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) that is not solid-dissolved (the peaks that appear at 2 angles of 35.2 and 57.5 in an X-ray diffraction pattern using CuK), in other words, observing that the amount of the alumina not solid-dissolved is equal to or lower than a detection limit. In this connection, a measurement method employable as such an X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement includes measuring under conditions of 40 KV, 40 mA, and 2=5/min with the CuK ray using a measuring device under the trade name RINT-Ultima manufactured by Rigaku Corporation. In addition, the peak in a diffraction line refers to one having a height of 30 cps or more from the base line to the peak top.

(13) Such a LaCoAl-based composite oxide according to the present invention has a composition expressed by the following chemical formula (1):
LaCo.sub.yAl.sub.xO.sub.(1)
where x and y are numbers satisfying conditions of 0<x<1 and 0<y<1, where x+y=0.5 to 1.5, and is a number of 1.5 to 4.5. If the content (x) of Al is 0 (zero), the composite oxide has a good oxygen storage capacity (OSC) at a relatively low temperature, but has low heat resistance and also has an insufficient oxygen release rate as described above. Meanwhile, if the content (y) of Co is 0 (zero), the OSC is not obtained. Then, if the total content (x+y) of Al and Co is less than the lower limit, the sufficient OSC is not obtained. On the other hand, if the total content exceeds the upper limit, the composite oxide cannot be obtained as a single phase. From the viewpoint that the oxygen release rate and the heat resistance are further enhanced, x is more preferably 0.1 to 0.5, y is more preferably 0.5 to 0.9, and x+y is more preferably 1.

(14) Note that in the chemical formula (1) is the number of oxygen atoms (O) in the composition. A value of is calculated from the amounts and valences of the contained elements and varies within a range of 1.5 to 4.5, where is more preferably 2 to 4 and particularly preferably 3.

(15) In the LaCoAl-based composite oxide according to the present invention, the distortion of the perovskite structure is relaxed by the aluminum solid-dissolved in the LaCo composite oxide having the perovskite structure as described above. In this connection, a tolerance factor related to the distortion of the perovskite structure is preferably within a range of 0.975 to 1.007 and particularly preferably in a range of 0.977 to 0.990, the tolerance factor (t) defined by the following formula (2):
t=(r.sub.A+r.sub.O)/{2.sup.1/2(r.sub.B+r.sub.O)}(2)
where t is a tolerance factor, r.sub.A is an ionic radius of La (1.36 ), r.sub.B is an arithmetic mean of an ionic radius of Co (0.61 ) and an ionic radius of Al (0.535 ), and r.sub.O is an ionic radius of an oxide ion (O.sup.2) (1.4 ). If the tolerance factor (t) is less than the lower limit, it tends to be difficult to achieve sufficient enhancements of the oxygen release rate and the heat resistance due to a reduction in the stability of the perovskite structure. On the other hand, if the tolerance factor (t) exceeds the upper limit, it similarly tends to be difficult to achieve sufficient enhancements of the oxygen release rate and the heat resistance due to a reduction in the stability of the perovskite structure.

(16) In addition, a specific surface area of the LaCoAl-based composite oxide according to the present invention is not particularly limited, but is preferably 2 to 20 m.sup.2/g. If the specific surface area is less than the lower limit, it tends to be difficult to obtain the sufficient OSC. On the other hand, if the specific surface area exceeds the upper limit, it tends to be difficult to obtain the sufficient heat resistance. Here, such a specific surface area can be calculated as a BET specific surface area from an adsorption isotherm using the BET isotherm adsorption equation, and can be obtained for example by using a commercially-available fully-automated specific surface area measuring device (MicroSorp MODEL-4232 manufactured by Microdata).

(17) Moreover, an average crystal size in the LaCoAl-based composite oxide according to the present invention is not particularly limited, but is preferably 20 to 200 nm. If the average crystal size is less than the lower limit, it tends to be difficult to obtain the sufficient heat resistance. On the other hand, if the average crystal size exceeds the upper limit, it tends to be difficult to obtain the sufficient OSC. Here, such an average crystal size can be calculated by using commercially available analysis software (for example, Rietveld analysis software named Jana2006) from the X-ray diffraction pattern obtained using CuK by the X-ray diffraction measurement.

(18) Then, the LaCoAl-based composite oxide according to the present invention may further contain at least one element selected from the group consisting of rare-earth elements other than lanthanum, and alkaline earth elements. When the LaCoAl-based composite oxide according to the present invention further containing such an element is used as a support for a catalyst for purification of exhaust gas, the catalyst tends to exhibit higher exhaust gas purifying capability. As such rare-earth elements other than lanthanum, there are cerium (Ce), scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), samarium (Sm), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), ytterbium (Yb), lutetium (Lu), and so on. Among them, Ce, Nd, Pr, Y and Sc are preferable and Ce, Y and Nd are more preferable from the viewpoint that the LaCoAl-based composite oxide tends to cause a strong interaction with a noble metal and thereby have a high affinity for the noble metal when the noble metal is supported on the composite oxide. Meanwhile, as such alkaline earth metal elements, there are magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba) and radium (Ra). Among them, Mg, Ca and Ba are preferable from the viewpoint that the LaCoAl-based composite oxide tends to cause a strong interaction with a noble metal and thereby have a high affinity for the noble metal when the noble metal is supported on the composite oxide. Since such rare-earth elements (other than lanthanum) and such alkaline earth metal elements, which have a low electronegativity, cause a strong interaction with a noble metal, these elements can be bound to the noble metal via oxygen in an oxidation atmosphere, and thereby inhibit evaporation and sintering of the noble metal. Thus, these elements tend to be able to sufficiently retard degradation of the noble metal, which is an active spot in exhaust gas purification.

(19) When at least one element selected from the group consisting of the rare-earth elements other than lanthanum, and the alkaline earth elements is further contained, the content of the element in the LaCoAl-based composite oxide is preferably 1 to 20% by mass and more preferably 3 to 10% by mass. If the content of the element is less than the lower limit, it tends to be difficult to sufficiently enhance the interaction of the composite oxide thus obtained with a noble metal when the noble metal is supported on the composite oxide. On the other hand, if the content of the element exceeds the upper limit, the oxygen storage capacity tends to decrease.

(20) The oxygen storage material of the present invention comprises the LaCoAl-based composite oxide, is capable of exhibiting a good oxygen release rate even at a relatively low temperature of about 400 C., and has such good heat resistance as to sufficiently suppress thermal decomposition under a high temperature condition at about 600 C. to about 1000 C. For these reasons, the oxygen storage material of the present invention is favorably usable as a support or a promoter for a catalyst for purification of exhaust gas. A preferred application example using the oxygen storage material of the present invention is a catalyst for purification of exhaust gas comprising a support composed of the oxygen storage material of the present invention, and a noble metal supported on the support. As such a noble metal, there are platinum, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, gold, silver, and so on. Moreover, in another application example, the oxygen storage material of the present invention is arranged around a catalyst for purification of exhaust gas in which a noble metal is supported on fine particles of another catalyst support.

(21) Next, a method for producing the oxygen storage material of the present invention is described.

(22) The method for producing the above-described LaCoAl-based composite oxide according to the present invention is not particularly limited. The LaCoAl-based composite oxide according to the present invention may be obtained by any known method termed a co-precipitation method, a reverse co-precipitation method, a solid-phase synthesis method, and a hydrothermal synthesis method. However, from the viewpoint that an oxygen storage material having further enhanced oxygen release rate and heat resistance tends to be obtained, it is preferable to employ a method for producing an oxygen storage material of the present invention through a polymerized complex method as elaborated below.

(23) The method for producing an oxygen storage material of the present invention comprises:

(24) a step of forming a metal hydroxycarboxylic acid complex in a solution containing a lanthanum salt, a cobalt salt and an aluminum salt as raw material salts, hydroxycarboxylic acid, and glycol (complex formation step);

(25) a step of causing esterification reaction in the solution to form a polymer gel in which the metal hydroxycarboxylic acid complex is dispersed (polymer gel formation step);

(26) a step of thermally decomposing the polymer gel to obtain a metal oxide precursor (precursor formation step); and

(27) a step of calcining the metal oxide precursor to obtain the oxygen storage material of the present invention comprising the LaCoAl-based composite oxide (calcination step).

(28) As the lanthanum salt, the cobalt salt and the aluminum salt used as the raw material salts, there are nitrates, chlorides, sulfates, acetates, and the like of lanthanum, cobalt and aluminum. Then, as the hydroxycarboxylic acid, there are citric acid, isocitric acid, and the like. Moreover, as the glycol, there are ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and the like.

(29) In the production method of the present invention, the metal hydroxycarboxylic acid complex (the hydroxycarboxylic acid complex containing lanthanum, cobalt and aluminum) is first formed in the solution containing the raw material salts, the hydroxycarboxylic acid, and the glycol in the complex formation step. In this step, it is preferable that the raw material salts be mixed such that the metal atoms satisfy the stoichiometric ratio in accordance with the composition (target composition) of the target LaCoAl-based composite oxide. In addition, the amount of the hydroxycarboxylic acid in the solution is preferably 4 to 8 equivalents with respect to the total amount of cations (the total amount of metal ions) in the solution. Moreover, the glycol may be used alone as the solvent in the solution. Instead, the raw material salts may be dissolved in advance in pure water in an amount close to the minimum necessary amount (approximately, 1 to 2 times the minimum necessary amount), and then the resultant mixture may be added with the hydroxycarboxylic acid and the glycol to obtain the solution.

(30) Next, in the polymer gel formation step, esterification reaction between the carboxyl groups in the hydroxycarboxylic acid and hydroxyl groups in the glycol is allowed to proceed sequentially in the solution to form a polymer gel in which the metal hydroxycarboxylic acid complex is dispersed. The temperature and time for such a heat treatment (esterification process) in the polymer gel formation step are not particularly limited, but are preferably in a temperature range of 100 to 200 C. and about 5 to 60 minutes.

(31) Subsequently, in the precursor formation step, the polymer gel is thermally decomposed to obtain a metal oxide precursor in which the metal elements (lanthanum, cobalt and aluminum) are uniformly dispersed. The temperature and time for such a heat treatment in the precursor formation step are not particularly limited, but are preferably in a temperature range of 300 to 500 C. and about 1 to 5 hours. Additionally, the atmosphere for the heat treatment is not particularly limited, but may be an ambient atmosphere or an inactive atmosphere of argon, nitrogen, helium, and so on.

(32) After that, in the calcination step, the metal oxide precursor is calcined to obtain the above-described LaCoAl-based composite oxide according to the present invention as a single phase. The temperature and time for such a calcination process in the calcination step are not particularly limited, but are preferably in a temperature range of 600 to 900 C. and about 1 to 10 hours. Additionally, the atmosphere for the calcination process is not particularly limited, but may be an ambient atmosphere or an inactive atmosphere of argon, nitrogen, helium, and so on.

EXAMPLES

(33) Hereinafter, the present invention is described in further details based on Examples and Comparative Examples; however, the present invention should not be limited to the following Examples.

(34) The following reagents were used.

(35) (1) Lanthanum nitrate: La(NO.sub.3).sub.3.6H.sub.2O (purity 99.9%, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.)

(36) (2) Cobalt nitrate: Co(NO.sub.3).sub.2.6H.sub.2O (purity 99.9%, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.)

(37) (3) Aluminum nitrate: Al(NO.sub.3).sub.3.9H.sub.2O (purity 98%, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.)

(38) (4) Citric acid (purity 98%, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.)

(39) (5) Ethylene glycol (purity 99%, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.)

Example 1

(40) The target composition was set to LaCo.sub.0.8Al.sub.0.2O.sub.3 (x=0.2 in the composition formula: LaCo.sub.1-xAl.sub.xO.sub.3) and a LaCoAl composite oxide having the above-specified composition was obtained through the polymerized complex method as follows.

(41) Specifically, to obtain the target composition, the lanthanum nitrate, the cobalt nitrate and the aluminum nitrate at the stoichiometric ratio were first dissolved in the amounts of feed presented in Table 1 into pure water in the minimum necessary amount presented in Table 1 at ordinary temperature to obtain a solution. After it was confirmed that the solution became transparent, the citric acid in an amount corresponding to 6 equivalents with respect to the total amount of cations and presented in Table 1 and the ethylene glycol in an amount presented in Table 1 were dissolved and mixed with the solution to obtain a solution containing a metal citrate complex. Next, the solution containing the metal citrate complex was heated to and kept at 150 C. for 30 minutes to obtain a polymer gel in which the metal citrate complex was dispersed. Thereafter, the obtained polymer gel was put into an alumina crucible, and then was thermally decomposed in a degreasing furnace by a heat treatment at 400 C. for 2 hours in the ambient atmosphere. As a result, a metal oxide precursor in which the metal elements (lanthanum, cobalt and aluminum) were uniformly dispersed was obtained. Then, the obtained metal oxide precursor was transferred to an electric furnace, and was calcined at 800 C. for 5 hours in the ambient atmosphere to obtain a polycrystalline powder of the LaCoAl composite oxide having the above-specified composition. The average particle size of the obtained powder was about 5 m.

Examples 2 to 4

(42) The target compositions were set to:

Example 2

(43) LaCo.sub.0.6Al.sub.0.4O.sub.3 (x=0.4 in the composition formula: LaCo.sub.1-xAl.sub.xO.sub.3);

Example 3

(44) LaCo.sub.0.4Al.sub.06O.sub.3 (x=0.6 in the composition formula: LaCo.sub.1-xAl.sub.xO.sub.3); and

Example 4

(45) LaCo.sub.0.2Al.sub.0.8O.sub.3 (x=0.8 in the composition formula: LaCo.sub.1-xAl.sub.xO.sub.3)

(46) A powder of a LaCoAl composite oxide having each of the above-specified compositions was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of each reagent was changed to an amount presented in Table 1.

Comparative Example 1

(47) The target composition was set to LaCoO.sub.3 (x=0 in the composition formula: LaCo.sub.1-xAl.sub.xO.sub.3), and a powder of a LaCo composite oxide having the above-specified composition was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of each reagent was changed to an amount presented in Table 1.

Comparative Example 2

(48) The target composition was set to LaAlO.sub.3 (x=1 in the composition formula: LaCo.sub.1-xAl.sub.xO.sub.3), and a powder of a LaAl composite oxide having the above-specified composition was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of each reagent was changed to an amount presented in Table 1.

Comparative Example 3

(49) Using an agate mortar, 1.00 g of a La.sub.2O.sub.3 powder (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., average particle size: 3 m) and 0.46 g of a CoO powder (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., average particle size: 5 m) were physically mixed such that the atomic ratio of La, Co and Al (La:Co:Al) became 1:1:0, thereby obtaining a mixture powder of La.sub.2O.sub.3 and CoO.

Comparative Example 4

(50) Using an agate mortar, 1.00 g of the LaCoO.sub.3 powder obtained in Comparative Example 1 and 0.0415 g of an Al.sub.2O.sub.3 powder (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., average particle size: 2 m) were physically mixed such that the atomic ratio of La, Co and Al (La:Co:Al) became 1:1:0.2, thereby obtaining a mixture powder of LaCoO.sub.3 and Al.sub.2O.sub.3.

(51) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Amount of Reagent fed La(NO.sub.3).sub.36H.sub.2O Co(NO.sub.3).sub.26H.sub.2O Al(NO.sub.3).sub.39H.sub.2O Citric Acid Ethylene Glycol H.sub.2O [g] [g] [g] [g] [ml] [ml] Comp. Ex. 1 1.0000 0.7722 0 2.6621 0.772 5.000 Example 1 1.0000 0.5377 0.1733 2.6621 0.772 5.000 Example 2 1.0000 0.4033 0.3465 2.6621 0.772 5.000 Example 3 1.0000 0.2688 0.5198 2.6621 0.772 5.000 Example 4 1.0000 0.1344 0.6931 2.6621 0.772 5.000 Comp. Ex. 2 1.0000 0 0.8663 2.6621 0.772 5.000
<X-ray Diffraction (XRD) Measurement>

(52) The crystal phases of the composite oxides obtained in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were measured by an X-ray diffraction method. Here, X-ray diffraction patterns were measured under conditions of 40 KV, 40 mA, and 2=5/min with the CuK ray using the X-ray diffraction device under the trade name RINT-Ultima manufactured by Rigaku Corporation.

(53) The obtained X-ray diffraction patterns are presented in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, a part (a) presents XRD full angular patterns and apart (b) presents the patterns at 2=32 to 35.

(54) In addition, the analysis of the lattice parameter (cell volume [.sup.3]) and the calculation of the average crystal size were preformed using the Rietveld analysis software Jana2006 from each of the obtained X-ray diffraction patterns, and the results thus obtained are presented in Table 2 and FIG. 2. Note that the FIG. 2 presents the lattice parameter in the case where the space group is R-3c.

(55) <Specific Surface Area Measurement>

(56) The specific surface area (SSA) for each of the composite oxides obtained in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 was measured through a single point BET method using a fully-automated specific surface area measuring device (MicroSorp MODEL-4232 manufactured by Microdata). The results thus obtained are presented in Table 2.

(57) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Average Specific x in Lattice Crystal Surface Composition Parameter Size Area Tolerance Formula [.sup.3] [nm] [m.sup.2/g] Factor Comp. Ex. 1 0 340.6 87.80 3.81 0.971 Example 1 0.2 338.4 97.18 3.98 0.978 Example 2 0.4 335.1 90.01 3.50 0.986 Example 3 0.6 331.9 101.15 3.91 0.993 Example 4 0.8 329.9 89.73 3.54 1.001 Comp. Ex. 2 1.0 327.2 90.87 3.24 1.009
<Measurement of Oxygen Storage Capacity (OSC) and Oxygen Release Rate>

(58) The oxygen storage capacity and the oxygen release rate for each of the composite oxides obtained in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 were measured in the method described below. Specifically, using a thermogravimeter TGA-50 (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) as a measuring device, a lean gas (O.sub.2 (5% by volume)+N.sub.2 (balance)) and a rich gas (H.sub.2 (5% by volume)+N.sub.2 (balance)) were alternately caused to flow through 20 mg of the sample powder under a condition of 400 C. by switching them every 5 minutes. The oxygen storage capacity and the oxygen release rate were obtained from an average of the values of the increase in mass of the composite oxide measured three times. The obtained results are presented in Table 3 and FIGS. 4 and 5.

(59) <Heat-Resistance Test>

(60) Each of the composite oxides obtained in Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 was left in a reducing atmosphere (H.sub.2 (5% by volume)+N.sub.2 (balance)) at 800 C. for 5 hours, thereby obtaining a sample after Heat-Resistance Test. Then, the X-ray diffraction pattern of the sample after Heat-Resistance Test was measured by the X-ray diffraction method as in the above-described X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement. The obtained X-ray diffraction patterns are presented in FIG. 3. Moreover, the oxygen storage capacity and the oxygen release rate of the sample after Heat-Resistance Test were also obtained in the same manner as in the above-described measurement of the oxygen storage capacity (OSC) and the oxygen release rate. The obtained results are presented in Table 3.

(61) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 x in OSC Oxygen Release Rate Composition [mol-O/g] [mol-O/g .Math. s] Formula @400 C. @400 C. Comp. Ex. 1 0 790 (110 .sup.(*.sup.3)) 3.2 (0.4 .sup.(*.sup.4)) Example 1 0.2 1460 10.4 Example 2 0.4 1120 (1080 .sup.(*.sup.3)) 11.0 (10.8 .sup.(*.sup.4)) Example 3 0.6 540 7.7 Example 4 0.8 180 6.2 Comp. Ex. 2 1.0 0 0 Comp. Ex. 3 0 .sup.(*.sup.1) 120 0.5 Comp. Ex. 4 0.2 .sup.(*.sup.2) 730 3.1 .sup.(*.sup.1) A mixture powder of La.sub.3O.sub.3 and CoO in which an atomic ratio among La, Co and Al (La:Co:Al) is 1:1:0. .sup.(*.sup.2) A mixture powder of LaCoO.sub.3 and Al.sub.2O.sub.3 in which an atomic ratio among La, Co and Al (La:Co:Al) is 1:1:0.2. .sup.(*.sup.3) OSC after Heat-Resistance Test [mol-O/g] @400 C. .sup.(*.sup.4) Oxygen release rate after Heat-Resistance Test [molO/g .Math. s] @400 C.
<Tolerance Factor>

(62) For each of the composite oxides obtained in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the tolerance factor (t) defined by the above-specified formula (2) was obtained. The obtained results are presented in Table 2 and FIG. 6.

(63) <Evaluation Results of Composite Oxides>

(64) As is apparent from the results presented in FIG. 1, it was confirmed that all of the LaCoAl composite oxides of the present invention obtained in Examples 1 to 4, the LaCo composite oxide obtained in Comparative Example 1, and the LaAl composite oxide obtained in Comparative Example 2 were each obtained as a single-phase composite oxide having a perovskite structure.

(65) In addition, as is apparent from the results presented in FIG. 2, the lattice parameters of the LaCoAl composite oxides of the present invention obtained in Examples 1 to 4 demonstrated a linearity of a lattice parameter change along with an increase in the amount of aluminum solid-dissolved in accordance with Vegard's law, which confirmed that each of the LaCoAl composite oxides was in the form in which the aluminum was solid-dissolved in the LaCo composite oxide having the perovskite structure, thereby forming a solid solution phase, in other words, the solid solution expressed by the composition formula: LaCo.sub.1-xAl.sub.xO.sub.3 was formed.

(66) Moreover, all the LaCoAl composite oxides of the present invention obtained in Examples 1 to 4 demonstrated that no peaks corresponding to the alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) not solid-dissolved were present in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement, and therefore verified that the amount of the alumina not solid-dissolved was equal to or lower than a detection limit.

(67) Further, as is apparent from the results presented in FIGS. 4 and 5, the LaCoAl composite oxides of the present invention demonstrated remarkable enhancements of the oxygen storage capacity (OSC) and the oxygen release rate as a result of the solid-dissolution of the aluminum in an amount corresponding to x=0.2 to 0.4 in the above-specified composition formula in the LaCo composite oxide having the perovskite structure.

(68) Meanwhile, the LaCo composite oxides having the perovskite structure in each of which the aluminum in an amount corresponding to x=0.6 to 0.8 in the above-specified composition formula was solid-dissolved were observed to have a good oxygen release rate, although the oxygen storage capacity tended to decrease along with a decrease in the content of Co. In contrast to them, the LaCo composite oxide obtained in Comparative Example 1 demonstrated a worse oxygen release rate, the LaAl composite oxide obtained in Comparative Example 2 had no OSC, and the mixture powder of La.sub.2O.sub.3 and CoO obtained in Comparative Example 3 and the mixture powder of LaCoO.sub.3 and Al.sub.2O.sub.3 obtained in Comparative Example 4 also demonstrated worse oxygen release rates. In view of these results, the present inventors surmise that the oxygen storage material of the present invention can exhibit a good oxygen release rate even at a relatively low temperature of about 400 C. because the aluminum is solid-dissolved in the LaCo composite oxide having the perovskite structure and the substitution with aluminum atoms makes dissociation of oxygen easier and accordingly reduces the activation energy for oxygen release.

(69) Moreover, as is apparent from the results presented in FIG. 3, the LaCo composite oxide obtained in Comparative Example 1 was observed to cause thermal decomposition and form a La.sub.2O.sub.3 phase and a Co phase due to Heat-Resistance Test at 800 C. In contrast, the LaCoAl composite oxide of the present invention obtained in Example 2 was observed to cause no thermal decomposition even in Heat-Resistance Test at 800 C. and keep the single phase of the LaCoAl composite oxide having the perovskite structure. In addition, as is apparent from the results presented in Table 3, the LaCo composite oxide obtained in Comparative Example 1 was observed to significantly decrease the oxygen storage capacity (OSC) and the oxygen release rate due to Heat-Resistance Test at 800 C. On the other hand, the LaCoAl composite oxide of the present invention obtained in Example 2 was observed to exhibit almost no decreases in the oxygen storage capacity (OSC) and the oxygen release rate in Heat-Resistance Test at 800 C. and keep the good OSC and the good oxygen release rate. These results confirmed that the LaCoAl composite oxide of the present invention had high heat resistance, and the present inventors surmise that the enhancement of the heat resistance was achieved because the aluminum solid-dissolved in the LaCo composite oxide having the perovskite structure relaxed the distortion of the perovskite structure and stabilized the perovskite phase. The above surmise of the present inventors is supported by the observation that the tolerance factor (t) becomes closer to 1 along with an increase in the amount of the aluminum solid-dissolved in the LaCo composite oxide as presented in FIG. 6.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

(70) As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an oxygen storage material which is capable of exhibiting a good oxygen release rate even at a relatively low temperature of about 400 C., and has such high heat resistance as to sufficiently suppress the thermal decomposition under a high temperature condition at about 600 C. to about 1000 C., and to provide a production method capable of obtaining such an oxygen storage material efficiently and reliably.

(71) Therefore, oxygen storage materials of the present invention are favorably usable as a support, a promoter, a catalyst atmosphere adjuster, and the like for catalysts for purification of exhaust gas for vehicles and the like.