Synthesis of nanocrystalline lanthanum phosphate for low temperature densification to monazite ceramics

Nanocrystalline lanthanum phosphate having average crystallite size 10–12 nm has been prepared by a controlled precipitation reaction from lanthanum nitrate and orthophosphoric acid. The precipitate obtained is washed, dried and calcined in the range 300–800 °C and further sintered as compacted discs at a temperature of 1250 °C. An average grain size of 1–2 μm was obtained on sintering at 1250 °C. The details of the synthesis and characterization of lanthanum phosphate are reported.