Synthesis of Er3+ Doped Y2O3 Nanoparticles: Effective Removal of Surface Impurities

Paper ID: EIJTEM_2018_5_1_25-30

Author's Name: Nallusamy Venkatachalam

Volume: 5

Issue: 1

Year: 2018

Page No: 25-30

Abstract:

Near-infrared (NIR) light emitting Er3+:Y2O3 nanoparticles for in-vivo and in-vitro fluorescence bioimaging applications have been synthesized by homogeneous precipitation methods. Various sizes (30, 50, 100, 200 and 500 nm) of yttrium hydroxyl carbonate (Y(OH)CO3) precursor samples were synthesized by the enzymatic, homogeneous, polymer and surfactant-assisted homogeneous precipitation methods. The precipitated precursor samples were calcined under different conditions using a muffle and tubular furnaces in order to remove hydroxyl carbonate impurities from yttrium oxide (Y2O3) nanoparticles and also get crystalline Y2O3 nanoparticles. The physico-chemical properties of synthesized precursor and calcined Y2O3 samples were characterized by FT-IR, TG-DTA, XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, EDS and NIR fluorescence emission spectral studies. It was observed that calcination of precursor materials in a tubular furnace at 600 0 C for 60 minutes eventually removed the hydroxyl carbonate impurities from smaller size (30 and 50 nm) Y2O3 nanoparticles whereas muffle furnace calcination process needs more than 10000 C calcination temperature. The smaller size Y2O3 samples calcined under a muffle furnace were found in the agglomerated form with hydroxyl carbonate surface impurity layer (~5 nm thickness).

Keywords: Ceramic Nanoparticles, Agglomeration, Urface Impurities, Calcination.

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