Synthesis of basic yttrium nitrate

Abstract

The reaction between yttrium nitrate and potassium hydroxide solutions was conducted at 25 and 50°C and at the boiling point of the reaction mixture, and the reaction products were studied. The Schreinemakers method, X-ray diffraction and crystal-optical analyses, IR spectroscopy, and electron microscopy demonstrated that X-ray amorphous yttrium hydroxide Y(OH)3 and basic yttrium nitrate Y(OH)2.5(NO3)0.5 · H2O are formed at 25 and 50°C as a poorly crystallized precipitate depending on the ratio between the initial reagents. Keeping the reaction products at the boiling temperature gives rise to a well-crystallized sample of basic yttrium nitrate.