Polyacrylamide gel synthesis and sintering of Mg2SiO4:Eu3+ nanopowder

A Mg2SiO4:Eu3+ nanopowder was synthesized by a polyacrylamide gel method. In this route, the gelation of the solution is achieved by the formation of a polymer network which provides a structural framework for the growth of particles. The densification of the powders was also studied. An amorphous nanopowder was synthesized and crystallized to Mg2SiO4 after heat-treatment via a solid-state reaction at a relatively low temperature of about 700 degrees C. The powders prepared by the polyacrylamide gel method showed better sinterability than the powders synthesized by the conventional sol-gel method. The relative density of the sample was 97% at 1500 degrees C. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.