Microwave-assisted synthesis of uranium doped Y2Zr2O7 transparent ceramics as potential near-infrared optical lens

Via a microwave annealing process, highly transparent U:Y2Zr2O7 ceramics were successfully fabricated for the first time. As-prepared powders obtained by microwave-assisted synthesis exhibited better particle distribution, grain fusion was inhibited at the same time. The near-infrared transmittance of U:Y2Zr2O7 transparent ceramic reached 80% at 2500 nm. And the cut-off wavelength of U:Y2Zr2O7 transparent ceramic moved from 250 nm to 540 nm, which was caused by the incorporation of the uranyl cation (UO2)(2+). The ultraviolet light and visible light below 540 nm has been efficiently filtered to enhance the infrared imaging. (C) 2019 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.