Synthesis and characterization of yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) powders

Abstract

In this paper synthesis and characterization of YAG powders, prepared by a process based on complexing properties of citric acid, was reported. Influence of citric acid estrification induced by 2-propanol or ethylene glycol on the system homogeneity was investigated. These reagents were introduced to aqueous solution of yttrium and aluminium nitrates. A variety of powders from Al2O3-Y2O3 system with different phase composition were obtained by altering the citrate to nitrate ratio. Evolution of the powders phase composition vs. temperature was investigated using DTA/TG, XRD, and FT-IR methods. The most interesting results were observed in case of the citric acid–propanol–relative nitrates system. The mole ratio of these reagents equal to 1:2.5:2.5 (nitrates (Al,Y):citric acid:2-propanol) allowed to synthesize pure YAG phase powders at temperature as low as 950°C.

Keywords

• YAG
• Citric acid
• Citrate gel method