Synthesis of Yttrium Oxide Nanocrystal via Solvothermal Process

Y2O3 nanomaterials have been widely used in transparent ceramics and luminescent devices. Recently there are many studies focusing on controlling the size and morphology of Y2O3 in order to obtain better materials performance. In present study, yttrium oxyhydroxide precursor was synthesized via a facile solvothermal process through the dissolution-re-crystallization mechanism of Y2O3 raw powders in the ethylenediamine solvent, then nanosized yttrium oxide crystal was prepared from the precursor through post heat treatment process. The effects of solvothermal treatment temperature, holding time, solvent kinds and post heat treatment parameters on crystalline structure, grain shape and size of nanocrystal were investigated by XRD, TEM and TGA-DTA measurements. TEM images reveal that the morphology of product after post heat treatment at 460℃for 12 h is rice-like nanocrystal. XRD shows that this product is pure cubic Y2O3 cphase. Present study reveals that high purity Y2O3 with rice-like morphology can be easily prepared with average size around 30 nm under suitable post heat treatment parameters. In addition, the effects of solvents such as water and ethanol etc. on the crystal structure and morphology were also investigated. It is suggested that dissolution-recrystallization process may be the main mechanism for the formation of nano-sized YOOH precursors under solvothermal reaction condition, and the ethylenediamine solvent is likely to play an important role in controlling the transformation process of yttria precursors to the Y2O3 nanocrystal.

Study on phosphating treatment of aluminum alloy:role of yttrium oxide

Zinc phosphate coatings formed on 6061-Al alloy, after dipping in phosphating solutions containing different amounts of Y2O3（yttrium oxide）, were studied by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD） and electrochemical measurements. Significant variations in the morphology and corrosion resistance afforded by zinc phosphate coating were especially observed as Y2O3 in phosphating solution varied from 0 to 40 mg/L. The addition of Y2O3 changed the initial potential of the interface between aluminum alloy substrate and phosphating solution and increased the number of nucleation sites. The phosphate coating thereby was less porous structure and covered the surface of aluminum alloy completely within short phosphating time. Phosphate coating was mainly composed of Zn3（PO4）2·4H2O （hopeite） and AlPO4（aluminum phosphate）. Y2O3, as an additive of phosphatization, accelerated precipitation and refined the gain size of phosphate coating. The corrosion resistance of zinc phosphate coating in 3% NaCl solution was improved as shown by polarization measurement. In the present research, the optimal amount of Y2O3 was 10-20 mg/L, and the optimal phosphating time was 600 s.

Preparation and Characterization of Porous Yttrium Oxide Powders with High Specific Surface Area

The porous cubic yttrium oxides with high specific surface area were prepared yttrium nitrate and its complex formed with methyl salicylate. The specific surface area by the explosive decomposition of and properties of powders synthesized at various temperatures were characterized using BET, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, infrared spectra （IR）, and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The results indicate that the highest specific surface area is found to be 65.37 m^2·g^-1 at the calcination temperature of 600 ℃, and then decreases to 20.33 m2· g^- 1 with the calcination temperature rising from 600 to 900 ℃. The powders show strong surface activity for adsorping water and carbon dioxide in air, which also decreases with the rising calcination temperature. The drop both on the surface area and surface activity of samples at higher temperatures may be due to pore-narrowing（sintering） effects.

Interfacial reaction between zirconium alloy and graphite mold/yttrium oxide ceramic mold

Zirconium alloys are active in the molten state and tend to react with the mold during casting. The casting technology of zirconium is not yet well established; especially in selecting the mold materials, which are difficult to determine. In the present work, the interfacial reactions between zirconium casting and casting mold were studied. The zirconium alloy was melted in a vacuum arc skull furnace and then cast into the graphite mold and ceramic mold, respectively. The zirconium casting samples were characterized using SEM, EDS and XRD with an emphasis on the chemical diffusion of elements. A reaction layer was observed at the casting surface. Chemical analysis shows that chemical elements C, O and Y from the mold are diffused into the molten zirconium, and new phases, such as ZrC, Zr30, YO1.335 and Y6ZrO11, are formed at the surface. In addition, an end product of zirconium valve cast in a yttria mold has a compact structure and good surface quality.

Synthesis and Characterization of Large Surface Area Yttrium Oxide by Precipitation Method

The method for preparing yttrium oxide with large specific surface area was introduced. By means of BET, SEM, TG and DTA analysis, the effects of precipitant, stirring velocity, non-RE impurity in solution, calcination temperature, on the surface area were studied respectively. The Y_2O_3 sample with specific surface area of more than 60 m^2·g^(-1) and L.O.I less than 1% was prepared in the suitable precipitation condition and calcinations temperature when the ammonia used as precipitant. The SEM shows that the Y_2O_3 prepared with large surface area is the aggregation of about 50 nm particles.

Thermal, Mechanical and Electrical Properties of the PEO-based Solid Polymer Electrolytes Filled by Yttrium Oxide Nanoparticles

The novel composite lithium solid polymer electrolytes （SPEs） composed of polyethylene oxide （PEO） matrix and yttrium oxide （Y2O3） nanofillers were prepared by a solution casting method. The crystal morphology of the SPEs was characterized by polarized optical microscope （POM） and wide-angle X-ray diffraction （WAXD）. The induced nucleation and steric hindrance effects of Y2O3 nanofillers result in the increased amount as well as decreased size of PEO spherulites which are closely related to the crystallinity of the SPEs. As the Y2O3 contents increase from 0 wt% to 15 wt%, the crystallinity of the SPEs decreases proportionally. The thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of the SPEs were investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis （TGA）, dynamic mechanical analysis （DMA） and AC impedance method, respectively. The physical properties including thermal, mechanical and electrical performances, depending remarkably on the polymer-filler interactions between PEO and Y2O3 nanoparticles, are improved by different degrees with the increase of Y2O3 contents. The （PEO）21LiI/10 wt%Y2O3 composite SPE exhibits the optimal room-temperature ionic conductivity of 5.95×10-5 Scm-1, which satisfies the requirements of the conventional electrochromic devices.

Engineering morphologies of yttrium oxide supported nickel catalysts for hydrogen production

The catalytic performance is highly related to the catalyst structure.Herein,a series of Ni nanoparticles supported on Y_(2)O_(3) with different morphologies were successfully synthesized via hydrothermal process screening different pH environments.These Ni/Y_(2)O_(3)catalysts were applied to efficiently produce CO_(x)-free H2through ammonia decomposition.We identify a significant impact of Y_(2)O_(3)supports on nickel nanoclusters sizes and dispersion.The experimental results show that Ni/Y11 catalyst achieves 100% ammonia decomposition conversion under a gas hour space velocity(GHSV) of 12,000 ml·h^(-1)·gcat^(-1) and temperature of 650℃.Such a high level of activity over Ni/Y11 catalyst was attributed to a large specific surface area,appropriate alkalinity,and small Ni nanoparticles diameter with high dispersion.

Morphology controllable synthesis of yttrium oxide-based phosphors from yttrium citrate precursors

A novel yttrium citrate-templated conversion method for morphology controlled synthesis of Y2O3 microspheres, microflowers and microsheets was reported for the first time. The precursors with controllable morphologies were synthesized with a homogenous precipitation method in aqueous solution without any surfactant. Y2O3 samples with well-preserved morphological architectures were obtained by a subse-quent thermal transformation strategy. The chemical formula of the precursor was identified and a two-stage growth mechanism was proposed. The effects of the aging time, reaction temperature, reactant concentration and molar ratio of yttrium nitrate to sodium citrate were discussed. The photoluminescence properties of the Y2O3：Eu3＋ microspheres, microflowers and microsheets prepared were also studied.

Determination of Trace Impurities of Rare Earth Elements in High Purity Yttrium Oxide by ICPMS

Determination of trace rare earth elements(REEs)in 99. 999% purity yttrium oxide using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric technique (ICPMS) has been developed. Instrumental parameters and factors affecitng analytical results have been studied and then optimized.Samples are analyzed directly following an acid digestion without separation or preconcentration and with limit of detection of 0. 003～0. 02 ng/ml, precision of ±5. 4%(cofficient of variation)and recovery of 90～115%. Correction for isobaric interferences from oxide ions and hydroxide ions is made mathematically. Special internal standard procedures are used to compensate drift in metal:metal oxide ratios and sensitivity. The analytical results of several samples are accurate as compared with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICPAES) and spark source mass spectrometry (SSMS).

Investigation of thermal radiation effect on optical dome of sapphire coated yttrium oxide

Compared to traditional optical domes, domes of sapphire coated with films can effectively reduce emissivity and increase transmittance. The purpose of this work is to investigate the thermal radiation effect on sapphire optical dome coated with yttrium oxide by a radio frequency mag- netron sputtering method. The emissivity of sapphire coated with Y203 films is studied by both numerical and experi- mental methods. The results indicate that the emissivity of sapphire substrate is reduced effectively with increasing the thickness of the Y203 film. In addition, a finite element model is developed to simulate the radiation intensity of the optical dome. The thermal responses indicate that the max- imum temperature is reduced apparently compared with the uncoated sapphire as Y203 film thicknesses increase. The average irradiance distribution at different film thicknesses with time shows that the self-thermal radiation disturbance of sapphire optical dome delays 0.93 s when the thickness of Y203 film is 200μm, which can guarantee the dome works properly and effectively even in a harsh environment.

Spectral properties of Ce^(3+) doped yttrium lanthanum oxide transparent ceramics

Ce3＋-doped yttrium lanthanum oxide （Y0.9La0.1）2O3 transparent ceramics is fabricated with nanopowders and sintered in H2 atmosphere. The spectral properties of Ce：（Y0.9La0.1）2O3 transparent ceramics are investigated. There appear two characteristic absorption peaks of Ce3＋ ions at 230~nm and 400~nm, separately. It is found that Ce3＋ ions can efficiently produce emission at 384~nm from （Y0.9La0.1）2O3 transparent ceramic host, while the emission is completely quenched in Re2O3 （Re=Y, Lu, La） host materials.

Gasoline Sensor Based on Rare Earth-Doped Indium Oxide with Low Power Consumption

Nanocrystalline indium oxide powders were prepared by microemulsion and then Y2O3 and Nd2O3 doped In2O3 were synthesized separately by impregnation and chemical co-deposition. The structure and morphology were characterized by XRD and TEM, respectively. Gas sensing properties were tested at static state. The results show that homogeneous indium oxide nanopowder with main grain size of 20 nm can be obtained from microemulsion after sintered at 600 ℃ for 1 h. Pure indium oxide gas sensor has higher sensitivity to gasoline than that to ethanol, HCHO, C6H6, NH3, C4H10, but the selectivity is not as well as sensitivity.

Enhancing Li NiO_(2) cathode materials by concentration-gradient yttrium modification for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

Lithium nickel oxide(LiNiO_(2)) cathode materials are featured with high capacity and low cost for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries but suffer from severe interface and structure instability.Here we report that rationally designed LiNiO_(2) via concentration-gradient yttrium modification exhibits alleviative side reactions and improved electrochemical performance.The LiNiO_(2) cathode with LiYO_(2)-Y_(2) O_(3) coating layer delivers a discharge capacity of 225 mAh g^(-1) with a high initial Coulombic efficiency of 93.4%.These improvements can be attributed to the formation of in-situ modified hybrid LiYO_(2)-Y_(2 O3) coating layer,which suppresses phase transformation,electrolyte oxidation and salt dissociation due to the formation of protective cathode electrolyte interface.The results indicate promising application of concentration-gradient yttrium coating as a facile approach to stabilize nickel-rich cathode materials.

INFLUENCE OF RARE EARTH DOPING ON MECHANICAL PROPERTY AND MICRO-STRUCTURE OF CHROMIA OXIDE FILM

The isothermal oxidizing kinetics of Co-40Cr alloy and its yttrium ion-implanted samples are studied at 1 000 ℃ in air by thermal-gravity analysis （TGA）. Scanning electronic microscopy （SEM） is used to examine the Cr2O3 oxide film＇s morphology after oxidation. Acoustic emission （AE） method is used in situ for monitoring the cracking and spalling of oxide films formed on both samples during oxidizing and subsequent air-cooling stages. Theoretical model is proposed relating to the film fracture process and is used for analyzing the acoustic emission spectrum both on time domain and on AE-event number domain. It is found that yttrium implantation remarkably reduces the isothermal oxidizing rate of Co-40Cr and improves the anti-cracking and anti-spalling properties of Cr2O3 oxide film. The reasons for the improvement are mainly that the implanted yttrium reduced the grain size of Cr2O3 oxide, increased the high temperature plasticity of oxide film, and remarkably reduced the number and size of Cr2O3/Co-40Cr inteffacial defects.

Microstructure and electrical properties of Y_2O_3-doped ZnO-based varistor ceramics prepared by high-energy ball milling

Y2O3-doped ZnO-based varistor ceramics were prepared using high-energy ball milling （HEBM） and low-temperature sin- tering technique, with voltage-gradient of 1934-2197 V/mm, non-linear coefficients of 20.8-21.8, leakage currents of 0.59-1.04 μA, and densities of 5.46-5.57 g/cm3. With increasing Y2O3 content, the voltage-gradient increases because of the decrease of ZnO grain size; the non-linear coefficient and the leakage current improve but the density decreases because of more porosity; the donor con- centration and density of interface states decrease, whereas the barrier height and width increase because of the acceptor effect of Y2O3 in varistor ceramics.

Preparation, Characterization and Photo-Catalytic Behavior of Y_2O_3/TiO_2 Composite Semiconductor Nanopowder

Y 2O 3/TiO 2 samples were prepared by sol-gel process and characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser Raman spectra (LRS), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), specific surface area (BET), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the relative intensity of 101 peak of anatase and 002 peak of rutile, the mean crystal diameter and mean particle diameter of Y 2O 3/TiO 2 samples decrease while specific surface area increases owing to doping Y 2O 3. Y 2O 3/TiO 2 samples have a larger specific surface area and higher thermal stability. Owing to quantum size effect, the reflectance of Y 2O 3/TiO 2 samples is larger than that of pure TiO 2 in the range of 380～460 nm and the position of Raman peaks varies slightly. Being a model reaction, the photo-catalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) with positive charge and methyl orange (MO) with negative charge was investigated in TiO 2 and Y 2O 3/TiO 2 nanopowder suspension irradiated by high-pressure mercury lamp. As a result, the addition of Y 2O 3 to TiO 2 is detrimental to photo-activity of TiO 2 for MB photo-degradation and photo-catalytic behavior is enhanced due to 5%, 10% Y 2O 3 deposited on TiO 2 for the photo-degradation of MO. And the relationship between photo-physical properties and photo-activity was discussed.

Preparation and Luminescence Properties of Y_2O_3:Eu^(3+) Nanorods via Post Annealing Process

Yttrium oxide doped with europium has a great prospective for FED and PDP phosphor application. In present study, the precursor of yttrium oxide hydroxide nitrate nanorod, which was prepared via hydrotherma] reaction route using PEG-6000 as template from the starting Y(NO3)3 and KOH reactant system, was used to prepare Y2O3:Eu3 + nanorod via a post annealing process during which the precursor with adjustable shape and size was transformed to final Y2O3: Eu3 + product. XRD, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and photoluminescence spectra (PL) were used to characterize the crystalline, morphology and luminescence properties of as-formed Y2O3: Eu3+ products synthesized at different post annealing temperatures, respectively. The results indicate that. grain morphology of obtained Y2O3:Eu3+ product was nanorod with a mean diameter of about 40 ~ 60 nm and length of about 500 ~ 700 nm, the nanorod structure and morphology of obtained Y2O3: Eu + product maintained during post annealing process and the size varied slightly with different annealing temperatures. Pure cubic Y2O3:Eu3 + phase was formed and the size was the smallest at annealing treatment of 500℃. Under the annealing temperature below 500℃its diameter increased with increasing annealing temperature , and remained in a stable size when the annealing temperature was above 500℃. The PL spectra of excitation spectra of Y2O3:Eu3+ product show that it exhibits excitation band located at about 395 and 468 nm, respectively. Above two excitation bands could be ascribed to the transition 4f-4f of Eu3+ ions in the Y2O3 host. On the other hand, the main emission peaks of the as-prepared products could be ascribed to the Eu3 + ions transition from 5D0 to 7F2. Furthermore, the luminescent intensity was improved about three times when the annealing temperature increased from 500 to 1000℃.

Effects of shape and size of second phase on mechanical properties of sintered Mo-Y_(2)O_(3) alloys

The morphology and size of second phase greatly influence the strengthening effect on oxidation dispersion strengthened Mo alloys.In this work,a novel nanostructuring strategy is adopted to modify the second phase of Y_(2)O_(3),and the corresponding effects of particle shape and size on mechanical properties of sintered Mo−Y_(2)O_(3) alloys were investigated.It is found that spherical particles with sizes below 200 nm are preferred due to the dominant intragranular distribution of second phases associated with better strengthening effect originating from dislocation pinning.With smaller particle size of Y_(2)O_(3) nanospheres(105 nm),the tensile strength of corresponding Mo alloy is enhanced by about 43.8%,much higher than that(8.3%)reinforced by second phase nanospheres with larger particle size(322 nm).Meanwhile,with similar particle size(around 100 nm),the spherical shape exhibits better strengthening effect than the one reinforced by one-dimensional rod-like second phase.

Preparation and Electrorheological Property of NaNO_3-Doped Y_2O_3 Material

A new class of electrorheological （ER） material using rare earth （RE = Y） oxide as the substrate, NaNO3- doped Y2O3 materials, were synthesized using Na2CO3 and Y（NO3）3 as starting materials. Their ER performance, dielectric property, and crystal structure were studied. The results show that doping NaNO3 can markedly enhance the ER activity of the Y2O3 material. For the suspensions of these materials in dimethyl silicone oil, a clear dependence of the shear stress on the doping degree of NANO3 was observed, and the optimal value of Na/Y molar ratio of 0.6 in doping degree was discovered, the relative viscosity ηr（ ηE/η0, E = 4.2 kV·mm^-1） of the suspensions is nine times higher than that of pure Y2O3 material. The new results of the relationship between ER effect and the microstructure were obtained, which are helpful for further understanding the mechanism of ER effect and synthesizing a good ER material.

Preparation and optical properties of Y_2O_3/SiO_2 powder

Y（NO3）3 and NH3·H2O were used as a raw materials,and nano-Y2O3 powder was successfully synthesized by a precipitation method.Employing TEOS as a raw material,SiO2 powder was successfully prepared by a alkoxide-hydrolysis method,and a Y2O3/SiO2 composite powder was obtained by coating.The Y2O3,SiO2,and Y2O3/SiO2 powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction（XRD）,scanning electron microscopy（SEM）,and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer（FT-IR）;the Y2O3 and Y2O3/SiO2 powders were further examined by photoluminescence（PL） spectra.The results indicated that the Y2O3 powder had a body-centered cubic structure with an average size of 35 nm,while the SiO2 powder was amorphous,with an average size of 145 nm and a narrow size distribution.The PL spectra of the Y2O3 and Y2O3/SiO2 powders showed that their wavelength of emission spectra were 585 nm,while their wavelength of excitation spectra were in the range of 240-260 nm.The optical properties of the Y2O3/SiO2 powder were identical to the Y2O3 powder.