Lanthanum copper oxide (La2CuO4) precursors for superconductors were synthesized by acetate/nitrate self-propagating combustion synthesis (SPCS) in the presence of urea at different ratio of O/F. Phase-pure La2CuO4 powder could be obtained by calcining the as-prepared precursors at temperature as low as 600 degreesC. It was demonstrated that the ratio of O/F strongly influenced the composition and morphology of the precursors as well as the samples calcined at various temperatures. We have studied the synthesis conditions, demonstrating the existence of a relationship between the calcination temperature and the calcination time needed to obtain the pure phase. An interesting stereoscopic network structure was observed on the samples synthesized at the ratio of O/F = 0.20, morphology evolution of the samples was also investigated. The emission of H2O as well as CO2 was responsible for the formation of the structure during the calcination process.