GLYCOTHERMAL SYNTHESIS OF RARE-EARTH ALUMINUM GARNETS

The reaction of a stoichiometric mixture of aluminium isopropoxide and yttrium acetate in 1,4-butanediol at 300 degrees C yielded crystalline yttrium aluminium garnet having an approximate particle size of 30 nm. No other phases were detected. Similarly, all the lanthanide elements from Nd to Lu gave essentially single-phase aluminium garnets. Samarium and europium aluminium garnets were also formed by this method, but the products contained corresponding lanthanide acetate oxide. The use of ethylene glycol instead of 1,4-butanediol afforded amorphous products.