Spectroscopic, structural and thermal study of Y(OH)3microstructures synthesized by hydrothermal method: effect of the reaction time

Abstract

Rare earth hydroxides have a wide variety of applications due to their interesting optical and magnetic properties. Specifically, yttrium hydroxide Y(OH)3 is an essential compound of rare earth hydroxides that can be used in areas such as electronics and chemistry due to its optical and structural properties. In this work Y(OH)3 was synthesized under nine reaction times (2–24 h) using the hydrothermal method in order to analyze the morphology evolution process that the Y(OH)3 follow to obtain the expected bar morphology. Also, a characterization study of Y(OH)3 through several techniques such as x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, infrared, Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry is presented. The obtained samples in every reaction time were compared on phase purity, particle size and shape, and spectroscopic and thermal properties. It was concluded that the reaction time has an important effect in obtaining yttrium hydroxide using the hydrothermal method. During the study, the optimal time to obtain only Y(OH)3 was evaluated, as well as the evolution of the morphology over time. At 12 hours, only Y(OH)3is obtained, therefore this time is proposed as the optimal time.