Synthesis of nanocrystalline yttria through in-situ sulphated-combustion technique

An in-situ sulphated-combustion reaction was conducted on the precursor mixture consisting of yttrium nitrate, organic fuels (urea, citric acid and glycine) and 10 mol% ammonium sulphate [(NH₄)₂SO ₄] at 500°C. Effect of sulphate addition on yttria particles morphology has been analyzed with respect to the types of fuels. In un-sulphated combustion, the calcined yttria powders showed rectangular particle morphology and low specific surface area. Whereas in sulphated-combustion spherical shaped yttria particles were achieved for glycine fuel. In the case of citric acid fuel, yttria powders with high specific surface area [26 m²/g] were obtained. For all the fuels, the sulphated-combustion reaction produced nanocrystalline yttria powders and they also had primary crystallite size below 4 nm in the as prepared conditions. Upon calcination at 1100°C, these powders attained mean particle size of 50 nm which was confirmed by TEM.