Preparation of YAG:Nd nano-sized powder by co-precipitation method

Nd3+ doped yttrium aluminum garnet Y3Al5O12 (YAG) nano-sized powders were prepared by a co-precipitation method using hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) as dispersant. The formation process and structure of the as-prepared sample were investigated by means of TG-DTA, XRD, IR, and TEM. It has been found that the YAG powders were amorphous up to 700 degreesC and transformed into pure phase YAG crystallite at 900 degreesC for 2 h, because of the uniformly distribution of Al and Y elements. The size of YAG powder is about 30 nm in diameter and mono-disperse in the presence of HPC. Optical absorption and emission spectra of nano-crystallites versus Nd3+ concentration and sintering temperature were also studied. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.