Effects of Molar Ratio of Acetylacetone to Aluminum Precursor on the Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Y3Al5O12, YAG) Formation by a Sol–Gel Process

Abstract

In this study, effects of the molar ratio of acetylacetone to aluminum precursor on crystallization and morphology of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) were investigated. YAG nanopowders were synthesized by a sol–gel process incorporating different amounts of acetylacetone as a chelating agent and fuels. The dry gels and powders were characterized using FTIR, SDT, XRD, and FESEM. The results showed the lowest YAG crystallization temperature at 800°C when the ratio of acetylacetone/aluminum precursor was two. This is 150°C lower than that without acetylacetone. The crystallite size of YAG powders was about the same, around 20–30 nm.