Precipitation of Tm2O3 nanopowders for application in reactive sintering of Tm:YAG

Thulium Oxide Nanopowders Obtained by Precipitation

“…In this method for a high transmission of the finally sintered material, the crucial role plays particle size, shape, degree of agglomeration, and sinterability of powder used. The difference in morphology and particle size of the powders used in the case of solid phase reaction is of significant importance for the sintering process . On the market, it is difficult to find a commercial rare‐earth oxide powders, in particular thulium oxide (Tm 2 O 3 ), that fulfill simultaneously the requirements, such as the absence of strong agglomerates, high purity (at least the order of 4 N–5 N), and submicronic grain particle.…”

“…The difference in morphology and particle size of the powders used in the case of solid phase reaction is of significant importance for the sintering process. 30 On the market, it is difficult to find a commercial rare-earth oxide powders, in particular thulium oxide (Tm 2 O 3 ), that fulfill simultaneously the requirements, such as the absence of strong agglomerates, high purity (at least the order of 4 N-5 N), and submicronic grain particle. Most commercial rare-earth oxide powders, including Tm 2 O 3 , have agglomerates of the size up to 10 lm, which are very difficult to eliminate during milling.…”

“…The rare-earth oxide powders can be prepared in many ways, for example, precipitation, hydrothermal synthesis, solgel, and combustion method. [31][32][33][34][35][36] In our previous work, 30 thulium oxide was obtained by precipitation method using three types of precipitants ammonium carbonate, ammonium hydrogen carbonate (AHC), and ammonia. Microscopic observations have proved a strong influence of the kind of precipitation agent used on shape and size of Tm 2 O 3 powder particles and finally on both microstructure and transmission of the obtained Tm:YAG ceramics.…”

Effect of Tm2O3 doping on microstructure and optical properties of Tm:YAG ceramics

“…Particle size and optimal distribution of starting powders are required to accelerate the kinetics of phase formation allowing phase-pure YAG to form. Also our previous work has shown that starting powders have a strong influence on both the microstructure and the optical properties of obtained transparent YAG ceramics [35,36].…”

Fabrication and optical studies of transparent Tm, Ho:YAG ceramics

“…Reactive sintering is the simplest and the most commonly used manufacturing method of transparent ceramics. The size and shape of particles as well as the degree of agglomeration of the applied powders play a key role in this technique [30][31][32][33][34]. An incorrect choice of these parameters is likely to lower the value of transmission.…”