The role of pre-nucleus states in formation of nanocrystalline yttrium orthoferrite

Formation of hexagonal and orthorhombic YFeO3 nanocrystals from an amorphous phase upon heat treatment of glycine-nitrate combustion products has been studied. The initial X-ray amorphous precursor has been shown to have pre-nucleus species of two types. Rapid formation of h-YFeO3 nanocrystals is explained by the presence of structurally similar pre-nucleus species in the precursor, while o-YFeO3 nanocrystals are formed much more slowly through recrystallization of the hexagonal and amorphous yttrium orthoferrite phases.