Synthesis of Scandium Oxide Nanoparticles from Solution

Abstract

Scandium oxides nanopowders have been synthesized using a sol-gel route. ScOOH nanoparticles have been first prepared in solution using ScCl3, xH2O as precursor. Influence of pH and reflux time on particles size and shape has been studied. Sc2O3 nanoparticles were then obtained after ScOOH sol drying. Sols were characterized by laser granulometry, thermogravimetry and differential analysis (TGA- DSC). Depending on pH, 40 to 1000 nm size ScOOH particles can be obtained. At a given pH, the reflux time duration also influences the ScOOH particles size. The ScOOH sol can be used to prepare highly pure Sc2O3 nanopowders. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Transmission Electron Microcopy (TEM), were used to characterize Sc203 nanopowders obtained from the various ScOOH solutions. The DSC and laser granulometry data indicate a strong relation between the nanoparticles size and the temperature of transformation of g-ScOOH to Sc2O3. Depending on the sol preparation various particles Sc2O3 size can then be obtained allowing the selection of the more suitable powder for transparent ceramic preparation.