Synthesis of Ultrafine Spherical Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Powders from Yttrium Nitrate and Aluminum Nitrate System

Abstract

Ultrafine spherical yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) powders have been synthesized via homogeneous precipitation method using urea as the precipitant. The precursor powders were calcinated at 1000°C or 1100°C for 4 hrs and then were studied by means of FE-SEM, XRD, FT-IR and TG-DTA. The result shows that the amount of ammonium sulfate has a significant effect on morphology and particle size of powders. Pure phase and spherical YAG particles with 350 nm in diameter can be obtained when the molar ratio of ammonium sulfate to aluminum nitrate is about 0.75 and the concentration of the metallic ions is 0.008M.