Single step synthesis of yttrium aluminum garnet (Y 3Al 5O 12) nanopowders by mixed fuel solution combustion approach

A single step synthesis of single-phase Y 3Al 5O 12 (YAG) nanopowders via solution combustion using a fuel mixture (urea + glycine) approach, without high temperature calcinations, is being reported for the first time. Solution combustion was carried out in furnace pre-heated at 700 °C. The use of individual fuels did not lead to the formation of YAG directly from the combustion reaction. FTIR of combusted product showed peaks characteristic of YAG in case of mixed fuel. TGA revealed negligible weight loss indicating that reaction mixture containing the stoichiometric ratio of metal nitrates, urea and glycine triggered a vigorous combustion reaction forming single-phase nanocrystalline YAG. X-ray diffraction of combusted powder confirmed formation of phase pure YAG. Nanometric particles with size range from 40 nm to 60 nm were obtained with uniform morphology by TEM.