Low-temperature combustion synthesis and sintering of nanosized Ce0.8Y0.2O1.9 powders

Ce0.8Y0.2O1.9 nanopowders were synthesized using a citric acid–nitrate gel-combustion method. The experimental results were characterized by means of XRD, TG–DTA, FTIR, TEM, BET, a laser particle size analyzer and SEM techniques. The pH value of the solution has an important effect on the ionization of citric acid, which affects the chelating of metal ions. The gel combustion behavior, the properties of the as-synthesized powders and the sintering behavior of the as-burnt powders were studied with regard to the effect of the amount of oxidants (Φ). When “Φ” is equal to 1.5, powders with good dispersion, compatibility and sinterability were obtained. The green density of the compact is 52.5%, and the relative density of the sintered sample is over 95% at 1350 °C for 4 h and the average grain size is 0.46 μm.