Synthesis of Scandium Oxide Nano Power and Fabrication of Transparent Scandium Oxide Ceramics

Synthesis of Sc2O3 nanopowder from scandium sulfate and hexamethylenetetramine [(CH2)6N4] using a precipitation method was investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy combined with differential thermal analysis/thermo-gravimetry analysis showed that chemical composition of the precursor precipitates was (Sc(OH)2.2(SO4)0.04)·0.4H2O. Phase transformation of the precursor precipitated during calcinations was investigated by X-ray diffractometry. A Sc2O3 nanopowder with good dispersion and a mean particle size of 80 nm was obtained by calcining the sulfate precursor at 1100 °C for 4 h. The Sc2O3 nanopowder was sintered into transparent Sc2O3 ceramic by vacuum sintering at 1700 °C for 5 h without any additives.