Facile fabrication of Y₂O₃-MgO nanocomposite transparent ceramics with enhanced optical properties

In this study, we synthesized Y₂O₃-MgO composite nanopowders using yttrium nitrate hexahydrate and magnesium oxalate tetrahydrate as raw materials via a sol-gel self-combustion method. The resulting powders were processed through calcination, ball milling, isostatic pressing, and hot sintering to produce Y₂O₃-MgO nanocomposite transparent ceramics. Comprehensive analyses including XRD, FTIR, SEM, and EDS were conducted to evaluate the phase composition, particle morphology, size, and element distribution of the composite powders. The optimal mass ratio of Y₂O₃ to MgO was determined to be 100:60, and the calcination temperature was set at 850 °C, yielding powders with an average particle size of 55 nm and uniform element distribution. Ball milling for 12 h reduced the average particle size to 35 nm. Following hot pressing sintering at 1230 °C under 50 MPa, the ceramics achieved an infrared transmittance exceeding 80 % in the 4–6 μm wavelength range. The thermal conductivity was measured at 15.48 W/(m·K), hardness at 10.43 GPa, and fracture toughness at 2.63 MPa m^1/2. These findings highlight the potential of Y₂O₃-MgO nanocomposite ceramics for advanced optical and structural applications.