Production of the Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> transparent nanostructured ceramics

The nanocrystalline Y₃Al₅O₁₂ ceramics with different phase compositions, microstructures, and optical characteristics have been prepared by low-temperature consolidation of the Y₃Al₅O₁₂ powder at pressures from 6 to 7.7 GPa in the temperature range from 250 to 550°C. The conditions have been defined for obtaining transparent nanostructured ceramics Y₃Al₅O₁₂ having grains of size 20–40 nm and a transmission coefficient in the visible region of 40–45%. The criteria for the transparency of the nanostructured ceramics have been formulated and the ways of an improvement of its optical characteristics are discussed.     

Synthesis and microstructure of nanocrystalline Yb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> powders

Nanocrystalline ytterbia powders have been synthesized using different precursors prepared by precipitation from nitrate solutions: ytterbium carbonates, oxalates, and hydroxides. The powders have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The nature of the precursor has no effect on the crystallization temperature of ytterbia but influences its microstructure. The particles range in shape from spherical to platelike. The average crystallite size of the Yb₂O₃ powders is 20–25 nm. Raising the heat-treatment temperature from 600 to 1000°C increases the crystallite size to 33–46 nm. The highest thermal stability is offered by the ytterbia powders prepared through carbonate decomposition.     

Strain localization in compressed ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>) ceramics

Spatiotemporal distributions of local components of the distortion tensor of a nonplastic material—yttria partially stabilized tetragonal zirconia (YTZ) ceramics—have been studied under active compressive straining conditions using double-exposure speckle photography techniques. The strain localization patterns are presented and the features of macroscopic strain inhomogeneity in the elastic state of YTZ ceramics are considered.     

Properties of nanocrystalline ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-CoO-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> powders

We have studied the properties of nanocrystalline ZrO₂-Y₂O₃-CeO₂-CoO-Al₂O₃ powders prepared via hydrothermal treatment of a mixture of coprecipitated hydroxides at 210°C. A number of general trends are identified in the variation of the properties of the synthesized powders during heat treatment at temperatures from 500 to 1200°C. Our results demonstrate that the addition of 0.3 mol % CoO to nanocrystalline ZrO₂-based powders containing 1 to 5 mol % Al₂O₃ allows one to obtain composites with good sinterability at a reduced temperature (1200°C).     

Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of Lu<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> powders for optical ceramics

A technique has been developed for the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of lutetium oxide (Lu₂O₃) powders using citric acid, glycine, and lutetium acetate as fuels. We have carried out thermodynamic analysis of synthesis conditions and examined the effect of the nature of the fuel on the properties of the resultant powders. Using vacuum sintering at a temperature of 1780°C and powders prepared with glycine as a fuel and containing 25 mol % yttrium oxide and 5 mol % lanthanum oxide as sintering aids, we have obtained transparent lutetium oxide-based ceramics.     

Effect of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> on the properties of nanocrystalline ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> + 3 mol % Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> powder

We have studied the properties of nanocrystalline ZrO₂〈3 mol % Y₂O₃〉 and 90 wt % ZrO₂〈3 mol % Y₂O₃〉-10 wt % Al₂O₃ powders prepared via hydrothermal treatment of coprecipitated hydroxides at 210°C. The results demonstrate that Al₂O₃ doping raises the phase transition temperatures of the metastable low-temperature ZrO₂ polymorphs and that the structural transformations of the ZrO₂ and Al₂O₃ in the doped material inhibit each other.     

Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> co-stabilized ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-WC composites

Y₂O₃ + Nd₂O₃ co-stabilized ZrO₂-based composites with 40 vol% WC were fully densified by pulsed electric current sintering (PECS) at 1350 °C and 1450 °C. The influence of the PECS temperature and Nd₂O₃ co-stabilizer content on the densification, hardness, fracture toughness and bending strength of the composites was investigated. The best combination of properties was obtained for a 1 mol% Y₂O₃ and 0.75 mol% Nd₂O₃ co-stabilized composite densified for 2 min at 1450 °C under a pressure of 62 MPa, resulting in a hardness of 15.5 ± 0.2 GPa, an excellent toughness of 9.6 ± 0.4 MPa.m^0.5 and an impressive 3-point bending strength of 2.04 ± 0.08 GPa. The hydrothermal stability of the 1 mol% Y₂O₃ + 1 mol% Nd₂O₃ co-stabilized ZrO₂-WC (60/40) composites was compared with that of the equivalent 2 mol% Y₂O₃ stabilized ceramic. The double stabilized composite did not degrade in 1.5 MPa steam at 200 °C after 4000 min, whereas the yttria stabilized composite degraded after less than 2000 min. Moreover, the (1Y,1Nd) ZrO₂-WC composites have a substantially higher toughness (~9 MPa.m^0.5) than their 2Y stabilized equivalents (~7 MPa.m^0.5).     

Investigation of Er-doped Sc<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> transparent ceramics by positron annihilation spectroscopy

0.25 at.% Er-doped Sc₂O₃ transparent ceramics fabricated using the two-step sintering method with different combinations of sintering temperatures were investigated by positron annihilation spectroscopy. Analysis of the broadening of the annihilation photopeak revealed the presence of the same type of defect in all samples. The lack of long lifetimes (τ ≥ 2 ns) suggested no positronium formation or the lack of trapping sites large enough to trap positronium for long enough time for the annihilation to be observed. Analysis of positron annihilation lifetime revealed the presence of a single lifetime that ranged from 208 to 219 ps, depending on the sintering conditions. These results also suggest the absence of a significant presence of vacancy clusters and other larger open-volume defects, and that the dominant open-volume defect corresponds to monovacancies and/or complex defects associated with monovacancies. The bulk lifetime of Er-doped scandia is estimated to be equal or lower than 208 ps.     

Effect of Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> on the crystallization behavior of SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–MgO–B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> glasses

A series of glass comprising of SiO₂–MgO–B₂O₃–Y₂O₃–Al₂O₃ in different mole ratio has been synthesized. The crystallization kinetics of these glasses was investigated using various characterization techniques such as differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Crystallization behavior of these glasses was markedly influenced by the addition of Y₂O₃ instead of Al₂O₃. Addition of Y₂O₃ increases the transition temperature, T _g, crystallization temperature, T _c and stability of the glasses. Also, it suppresses the formation of cordierite phase, which is very prominent and detrimental in MgO-based glasses. The results are discussed on the basis of the structural and chemical role of Y³⁺ and Al³⁺ ions in the present glasses.     

Multifunctional anti-stokes Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>S-based white phosphors

We have established the key trends in the variation of the intensity of the visible and IR luminescence of (Y_{1 − x − y − z} Yb _x Tm _y Er _z )₂O₂S solid solutions in relation to their composition under laser excitation at λ = 0.940 μm. The results obtained have been used to develop multifunctional anti-Stokes white phosphors with various tinges and a predetermined relative intensities of visible and IR emission bands.     

Inducing multiferroic behaviour in the diamagnetic Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

The synthesis and characterization of Y_2−xFe_xO₃ (where x = 0–0.3) compounds has been carried out for their importance in the field of multiferroic materials. The powder X-ray diffraction reveal that the compounds Y_1.95Fe_0.05O₃, Y_1.9Fe_0.1O₃, Y_1.85Fe_0.15O₃ and Y_1.8Fe_0.2O₃ crystallize in tetragonal structure whereas Y_1.75Fe_0.25O₃ and Y_1.7Fe_0.3O₃ compounds crystallize in orthorhombic structure. The change in crystal system with respect to the concentration of Fe may be attributed to the variation in occupancy position of Fe³⁺ into the Y³⁺ site of Y₂O₃ system. Variation in crystal structure, surface morphology and composition was studied by micro-Raman analysis, SEM and EDX analysis. The shift in intense Raman signals from 426 to 385 cm⁻¹ confirms the change in the crystal structure of the prepared compounds. Further it is also identified that the E_g mode of vibration is the dominant in the Fe substituted compounds. The substitution of Fe in the Y₂O₃ system leads to the increase in the intensity of resonance band, which indicates a large polarisability variation in the Y_2−xFe_xO₃ compounds. Diffused reflectance studies show a red shift in energy gap values while increasing the concentration of Fe. The room temperature magnetization and electron paramagnetic resonance studies reveal that the incorporation of Fe in the Y₂O₃ system leads to magnetic phase change from diamagnetic to ferromagnetic. The electric polarization studies imply that the substitution of lower ionic radii element Fe³⁺ in the Y³⁺ site leads to distortion in the lattice and show the way to spontaneous dipole moment and it was found that the Y_1.8Fe_0.2O₃ compound exhibits the possibility of multiferroic behaviour. Therefore this paper explores the possibility of inducing ferromagnetic and ferroelectric behaviour in the Fe substituted yttrium oxide system.     

Electrical properties of some Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and/or Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-containing lithium silicate glasses and glass-ceramics

The ac electrical properties of some lithium silicate glasses and glass-ceramics containing varying proportions of Y₂O₃ and/or Fe₂O₃ were measured to investigate their electronic hopping mechanism. There is a clear variation of these properties with composition. The obtained results were related to the concentration and role of Y₂O₃ and/or Fe₂O₃ in the lithium silicate glass structure. In crystalline solids the electrical properties data obtained were correlated to the type and content of the mineral phases formed as indicated by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The conductivity, dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the studied glasses were studied using the frequency response in the interval 30 Hz–100 KHz and the effect of compositional changes on the measured properties was investigated. The measurements revealed that the electrical responses of the samples were different and complex. The addition of Y₂O₃ generally, decreased the ac conductivity, dielectric constant and dielectric losses of the lithium silicate glasses. The addition of Fe₂O₃ in Y₂O₃-containing glasses increases the conductivity, while, the dielectric constant and dielectric losses were found to be decreased. However, the addition of Fe₂O₃ instead of Y₂O₃ led to decrease the ac conductivity and increased their dielectric constant and dielectric losses. The obtained data were argued to the internal structure of the lithium silicate glass and the nature or role-played by weakness or rigidity of the structure of the sample. Lithium disilicate-Li₂Si₂O₅, lithium metasilicate-Li₂SiO₃, two forms of yttrium silicate Y₂Si₂O₇ & Y₂SiO₅, iron yttrium oxide-YFeO₃, lithium iron silicate-LiFeSi₂O₆ and α-quartz phases were mostly developed in the crystallized glasses. The conductivity of the crystalline materials was found to be relatively lower than those of the glass. At low frequency, as the Y₂O₃ content increased the ac conductivity, dielectric constant and dielectric loss data of the glass-ceramics decreased. However, the addition of Fe₂O₃ to the Y₂O₃ containing glass-ceramic led to increase the conductivity. The addition of high content of Fe₂O₃ instead of Y₂O₃ in the glass ceramic led to increase the ac conductivity.     

Relaxation of optical excitations in crystals of the Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> system with radiation defects

The photoluminescence and short-time persistence (afterglow) kinetics in pure and doped Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃ crystals excited with UV laser pulses (12 ns, 337 nm) were studied using samples irradiated with gamma quanta from a ⁶⁰Co source to a dose from 10⁴ to 10⁷ Gy. The relaxation time of the samples studied increases, with decreasing symmetry of the crystal lattice, in the following order: garnet—orthoaluminate—ruby—yttria. The afterglow duration and intensity significantly decrease in gamma-irradiated crystals, which is explained by the predominant recombination of close electron-hole pairs. Garnet-neodymium crystals are characterized by high radiation stability and fast relaxation kinetics.     

Preparation and properties of Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> partially stabilized ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> crystals

We have studied the effect of composition and growth conditions on the structure and properties of 2.5–5 mol % Y₂O₃ partially stabilized ZrO₂ crystals grown by directional solidification in a cold-wall crucible. The phase composition and density of the crystals have been determined. The crystals are shown to be uniform in composition, with local changes in Y₂O₃ content within ±0.5 mol %. The dimensions and quality of the single crystals are influenced by the growth conditions.     

Fluctuation-Induced Conductivity Analysis of Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Layered YBCO Single Crystal

In this work, a cylindrical YBa₂Cu₃O_7?x (Y123) sample having 20 mm diameter and 8 mm height was prepared by the cold-seeding method using an Nd123 seed, and the crystal growth process was performed in an alumina crucible with a Y₂O₃ layer. The structural orientation of the specimens was measured by an X-ray diffractometer (XRD). As a result of the X-ray diffraction data, only (00 l) peaks were observed, indicating that all specimens are highly oriented with the c-axis perpendicular to the top surface. Resistivity measurements of a 1.5-mm-thick rectangular sample were performed by a standard four-probe method at temperatures between 60 and 100 K at a rate of 4 K/min using a Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS) under various constant magnetic fields from 1 to 5 T with the magnetic field parallel to the c-axis, which is the direction of pressing into the zero-field cooling regime (ZFC). Fluctuation-induced conductivity analysis was performed to investigate the availability of the sample for technology. The analysis showed that the critical exponents were in agreement with theoretical values; thus, it was seen that superconducting properties of the sample were good and the 3D fluctuation was dominant. Because of the large c?axis coherence length (ξ _c(0)) and small anisotropy, the superconducting properties became better. Furthermore, the fluctuations were reduced, and it was understood that the effective availability of the sample in technology will be possible.     

The influence of activation of Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> polycrystalline matrices by Bi<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions on the luminescence of Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

The influence of activation of the Y₂O₃ matrix of the Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ phosphor by Bi³⁺ ions on the luminescence of Eu³⁺ and Bi³⁺ ions in it and on conditions of the excitation energy transfer to luminescence centers is studied. It is shown that the presence of Bi³⁺ ions leads to the appearance of recombination luminescence with participation of bismuth ions at low concentrations (up to 6–8 at %) of the dominant activator europium and to an increase in the threshold of intrinsic concentration quenching of its luminescence.     

Study of wear resistance and nanostructure of tertiary Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/CNT pulsed electrodeposited ni-based nanocomposite

We study the electrodeposition of tertiary Alumina/Yitria/carbon nanotube (Al₂O₃/Y2O₃/CNT) nanocomposite by using pulsed currents. The process of coating is performed in a nickel-sulfate bath and the nanostructure of the obtained compound layer is examined with the help of high-precision figure analysis of SEM nanographs. The effects of process variables, i.e., the Y₂O₃ concentration, treatment time, current density, and the temperature of electrolyte are experimentally investigated. Statistical methods are used to achieve the minimum wear rate and average size of nanoparticles. Finally, the percentage contributions of different effective factors are revealed, and the confirmation run showed the validity of the obtained results. It is also revealed that the wear properties of the coatings undergo significant changes if the sizes of nanoparticles change. The atomic-force microscopy (AFM) and transmissionelectron microscopy (TEM) analyses confirm the smooth surfaces and average sizes of nanoparticles in the optimal coating.     

Effect of grain size on the strength of Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> optical ceramics

Using micro- and nanoindentation techniques, we have studied the mechanical properties of Y₃Al₅O₁₂ optical ceramics: coarse-grained, prepared by vacuum sintering, and nanostructured, prepared by high-pressure, low-temperature sintering. The effect of grain size on the strength of the ceramics has been analyzed.     

Microstructure and gas-sensing properties of nanocrystalline NiFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> prepared by spray pyrolysis

Nanocrystalline nickel ferrite with a crystallite size from 3 to 40 nm has been prepared by spray pyrolysis. The ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectrum of NiFe₂O₄ samples has been found to vary systematically with crystallite size. The sensing response of the nanocrystalline nickel ferrite to 50 ppm NH₃ has been studied using in situ conductance measurements. NiFe₂O₄ offers a strong sensing response to ammonia at the level of its maximum concentration limit. The optimum nickel ferrite crystallite size and temperature for ammonia detection are determined.     

Transparent Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ceramics produced from nanopowders by magnetic pulse compaction and sintering

Transparent Nd-doped cubic Y₂O₃ ceramics have been prepared by magnetic pulse compaction of nanopowders, followed by sintering. Analysis of the transport of nonequilibrium thermal phonons at liquid helium temperatures has been used to assess the effect of preparation conditions on the microstructure, average thickness, and stability of the grain boundaries in the ceramics. The average grain-boundary thickness in the transparent ceramics is shown to be comparable to the lattice parameter of Y₂O₃.