Synthesis of highly sinterable Yb:Sc2O3 nanopowders for transparent ceramic

Ytterbium doped scandium oxide (Yb:Sc2O3) nanopowders were synthesized by a novel co-precipitation method. A NH4HCO3+NH4OH (molar ratio=3:1) mixed solution was adopted as the precipitant. The characteristics of precursor and powders calcined at different temperatures were investigated. After calcination at 1100 °C for 4 h, highly sinterable Yb:Sc2O3 nanopowders with primary particle size of about 35 nm and low agglomeration were obtained. Using as prepared powders, high optical quality Yb:Sc2O3 transparent ceramic with average grain size of about 10 μm was fabricated by vacuum sintering at 1700 °C for 20 h. The in-line transmittance of the sample (1.0 mm in thickness) reached 71.6% at the wavelength of 1200 nm. The spectroscopic properties of the transparent ceramic were also studied.