Sr and Mg doped lanthanum gallate perovskites  (La_1−xSr_xGa_1−yMg_yO_3−δ) shortened as LSGM are promising electrolyte materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs).

The evolution of secondary phases, such as LaSrGa₃O₇ has been identified to be a problem in the preparation of LSGM. Actually, no mater what technical preparation route was adopted (wet-based or solid state-based method) the presence of the secondary phases, accompanying the main phase LSMG was reported.

The results regarding an attempt to obtain pure Sr and Mg doped LaGaO₃ ceramics using a specific annealing treatment was reported in this work.  The obtained ceramics were characterized using different techniques. Thermal analyses (DTA/TG) on the stoichiometric raw mixture and dilatometric measurements on sintered bodies were performed. Morphological and structural aspects were investigated by means of X-ray diffractometry, FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The electrical behavior of the obtained ceramic was characterized by complex impedance spectroscopy.

Choosing an appropriate annealing program, almost pure Sr and Mg doped LaGaO₃ can be obtained.