Synthesis of (Y,Gd)_2O_3:Eu(YGO:Eu) Nano-Powder and Fabrication of Transparent Ceramics

The synthesis of nano-sized Y_(1.34)Gd_(0.6)Eu_(0.06)O_3(YGO:Eu)powder by using an AHC (ammonium hydrogen carbonate)precipitation technique was investigated.The precursor powders obtained were of crystalline and indexed to yttrium gadolinium normal carbonate.On calcination,the precursor powders were converted to crystalline yttrium gadolinium oxide at 600℃.The powder calcined at 1100℃show better sintering behavior,mainly due to their narrowest particle size distribution and finest average particle size.Transparent YGO ceramics were prepared by sintering at 1670℃for 2h in vacuum using the powders calcined at 1100℃.The YGO ceramics shows a high in-line transmittance of 74.6% in the visible-light region,much higher than that of transparent Y_2O_3 ceramics prepared by the same process.