Synthesis and characterization of aluminum-yttrium perovskite powder using a co-precipitation technique

In this research the solid solution YAlO3 perovskite powder (YAP) was successfully synthesized by co-precipitation route. Co-precipitation synthesis is simple and inexpensive method which capable to produced more homogeneous powders. In the first step, effect of various mineralizers on YAlO3 formation has been investigated, which resulted in decrease of the formation temperature down to 1200 °C. In the next step, effect of the pH in synthesis procedure and also calcination time and temperature has been studied. Later, the optimum condition for synthesis of single-phase YAP was determined. The obtained powders have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as ICP analysis. Results show that the most appropriate mineralizer system for the formation of YAlO3 perovskite was NaF:MgF2:Li2CO3 (3:2:1 by weight). Additionally, orthorhombic YAP powders were successfully synthesized in pH=9. Calcination at 1200°C for 4 h was the best condition for preparation single phase Aluminum-Yttrium perovskite crystals.