Fabrication of highly transparent Y2O3-MgO nanocomposite ceramics in the visible-near-IR wavelength

Abstract

In this study, Y₂O₃-MgO nanocomposite ceramics exhibiting high transparency in the visible spectrum, composed of a 50:50 vol ratio, was fabricated through the combination of sol-gel and low-temperature high-pressure (LTHP) sintering in the absence of exogenous dopants. The Y₂O₃-MgO nanocomposite precursor nanopowders was synthesized using citric acid monohydrate-nitrate combustion route. The effects of sintering parameters on the phase composition, microstructure, and optical property of the samples were investigated. The results indicated highly visible-spectrum transparent Y₂O₃-MgO nanocomposite ceramics with a grain size below 10 nm were obtained at an applied pressure of 5 GPa at 300 ℃. The optical transmittance of 2 mm thick Y₂O₃-MgO ceramics reached a maximum of 78 % at a wavelength of 1.2 µm, significantly surpassing the existing opaque Y₂O₃-MgO nanocomposite transparent ceramics in the near-IR wavelength region. The reported findings could inspire further development of transparent Y₂O₃-MgO composite ceramics for a wider range of optical applications.