Synthesis of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) from an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid precursor

Abstract: Yttrium aluminum garnet was synthesized via ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) precursor route. The precursors and the derived oxide powders were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The effect of the molar ratio of EDTA to total metal cation concentration (EDTA/M) on the crystallization behavior of YAG was investigated. For the EDTA/M=1 precursors, YAG was found to crystallize from an amorphous precursor beginning at temperatures of 800°C within 2h in air and completely transformed into YAG at 950°C; a certain amount of hexagonal-YAlO3 co-existed with the YAG phase between 800 and 900°C. For the EDTA/M=0.5 precursors, the phase-pure YAG was obtained at 1000°C for 2h. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]