Polymerized Organic-Inorganic Synthesis of Mixed Oxides

A new and simple chemical route has been used to synthesize mixed-oxide powders. The method uses long-chain polymers, such as poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(ethylene glycol). The chemistry of the precursor solution differs from other solution-polymerization techniques. The stabilization of the cations in the precursor is established not only through the chemical binding of cations with the functional groups, but also, in major part, through the physical entrapment of the metal ions in the network of the dried polymer carrier. Pure, single-phase calcium aluminate, yttrium aluminate, and yttrium phosphate powders have been produced, while maintaining a 4:1 ratio of positively charged valences of the cations (Me ^{n +}) to negatively charged hydroxyl (-OH⁻) groups. The ceramic yield of the new method (the ratio of the weight of the ceramic powders to the weight of the organics that are used in the preparation) is ∼2.