Synthesis of Yb-doped Sc2O3 nanocrystalline powders

Anne-Cécile Bravo (1, 2) , L. Longuet (2) , D. Autissier (2) , Jean-François Baumard (3)

1 SPCTS - Science des Procédés Céramiques et de Traitements de Surface
2 CEA Le Ripault - CEA Le Ripault
3 Axe 1 : procédés céramiques

We report the preparation of nanocrystalline Yb:Sc2O3 powders with an ultimate intent to make transparent Yb:Sc2O3 ceramics for laser applications. Precursors were synthesized by a coprecipitation method from a mixed solution of scandium and ytterbium nitrates using aqueous ammonium hydrogen carbonate as precipitant. The effects of the precipitation process on the powders' characteristics were studied. The phase evolution, the structure and the morphological characteristics of the different precipitates and calcined precursors were studied by means of TG/DTA, XRD and SEM methods. Carbonate precursors were transformed into pure Yb:Sc2O3 phase after a thermal treatment ≥700°C for 2 hours. The particles of the as-prepared nanocrystalline Yb:Sc2O3 powders are spherical and narrow size distributed. Their average diameter is lower than 50nm.

Mots clés: Chemical synthesis; Transparent ceramic; Yb:Sc2O3.; Yb:Sc2O3

Domaines: Matériaux

Anne-Cécile Bravo, L. Longuet, D. Autissier, Jean-François Baumard. Synthesis of Yb-doped Sc2O3 nanocrystalline powders. 10th International Conference of the European Ceramic Society, Jun 2007, Berlin, Germany. pp.2282-2287. ⟨hal-00282745⟩