Synthesis of Yttria nanopowder with PAA as dispersant for highly transparent yttria ceramics

Highly pure and well-dispersed yttria nanocrystalline powders were synthesized with a modified coprecipitation method that uses mixed ammonium hydroxide-carbonate solution as the precipitant poly acrylic acid (PAA) dispersant. Comparing using same route but without PAA dispersant, PAA-assisted exhibit lower level of agglomeration better sinterability. Sintering trajectories dispersant investigated. Y2O3 ceramics sintered exhibited smaller grain size, homogeneous microstructure, higher in-line optical transmittance. The result suggests polymer-assisted could be used to synthesize nanopowders for fabricating high quality transparent ceramics.