Nd:GGG Nanopowders by Microwave Gel Combustion Route and Sinterability Studies

Kiranmala Laishram; Rekha Mann; Richa Sharma; Dinesh Bhardwaj; Suman Shakya; Neelam Malhan

doi:10.14429/dsj.64.5409

Kiranmala Laishram Laser Science and Technology Centre, Defence Research & Development Organisation, Delhi
Rekha Mann Laser Science and Technology Centre, Defence Research & Development Organisation, Delhi
Richa Sharma Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, Amity University, Noida
Dinesh Bhardwaj Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, Amity University, Noida
Suman Shakya Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Neelam Malhan Laser Science and Technology Centre, Defence Research & Development Organisation, Delhi

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.64.5409

Keywords: Phase pure GGG, citrate-nitrate, microwave combustion, XRD

Abstract

Synthesis of Nd0.03Gd2.97Ga5O12 (Nd:GGG) nanopowder was carried out by microwave-assisted nitrate-citrate gel combustion technique. Various nitrate-to-citrate ratios from stoichiometric-to-fuel lean were explored. Gels were combusted by microwave heating and the combusted powders were calcined at 900 OC for 2 h. Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) of calcined nanopowders showed phase pure Nd:GGG formation, from stoichiometric-to-fuel lean nitrate-to-citrate ratio of 1 to 0.416. Particles in the size range of 150 nm - 200 nm were obtained for stoichiometric ratio. Highly uniform, spherical morphology, with size range 90 nm - 100 nm, were obtained in fuel lean ratio of 1 to 0.416. Sintering of these nanopowders at 1550 °C for 2 h in air resulted in retention of phase purity as observed by XRD. Grain growth of less than 2 μm, for fuel lean ratio of 1 to 0.416, indicated formation of highly sinterable Nd:GGG nanopowders.

Defence Science Journal, Vol. 64, No. 5, September 2014, pp.490-494, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.64.5409

Author Biographies

Kiranmala Laishram, Laser Science and Technology Centre, Defence Research & Development Organisation, Delhi

Ms Kiranmala Laishram obtained her MSc (Physical Chemistry) from Manipur University in 2002. She is working as Scientist ‘D’ at Laser Science and Technology Centre (LASTEC), Delhi. Her areas of interest are : Material characterization techniques, laser materials, and nonmaterial-synthesis and applications. She has published 22 research papers in the journals and conferences, and 5 technical reports.

Rekha Mann, Laser Science and Technology Centre, Defence Research & Development Organisation, Delhi

Dr (Mrs) Rekha Mann obtained her MSc and MPhil (Organic Chemistry) from Kurukshetra University, and PhD (Applied Chemistry) from Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi, in 2003. Presently she is working as Scientist ‘D’ at LASTEC, Delhi. Her areas of interest are : Nanomaterial synthesis and processing, laser materials, organic synthesis, and polymer materials. She has published 24 research papers in the journals and conferences, and published 5 technical reports.

Richa Sharma, Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, Amity University, Noida

Ms Richa Sharma completed her BSc (Industrial Chemistry) from University of Delhi, in 2010 and MSc (Industrial Chemistry) from Amity University, in 2012. Working as a Project Assistant at the Amity University and also pursuing PhD at the Amity Institute of Applied Sciences.

Dinesh Bhardwaj, Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, Amity University, Noida

Mr Dinesh Bhardwaj completed his BSc (Industrial Chemistry) from University of Delhi, in 2010 and MSc (Industrial Chemistry) from Amity University, in 2012. Presently working as a Project Fellow in Organic Hybrid Solar Cell Division of National Physical Laboratory, CSIR.

Suman Shakya, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

Ms Suman Shakya completed her MTech (Nanotechnology) from Aligarh Muslim University in 2010. Currently pursuing her PhD from Nanophotonics Laboratory at Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi.

Neelam Malhan, Laser Science and Technology Centre, Defence Research & Development Organisation, Delhi

Ms Neelam Malhan obtained her MSc (Physical Chemistry) from University of Delhi and MTech from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, in 1979. Presently she is working as Scientist ‘G’ at LASTEC, Delhi. Her areas of interest are : Development of high purity grade oxide materials and catalyst for laser applications, analytical techniques for material characterization, nanomaterial synthesis, ceramic processing and sintering, polycrystalline laser ceramics Nd-doped YAG and Nd-doped yttria for SSL applications. She has published 20 research papers in journals and conferences.