On the synthesis and characterization of iron-containing garnets (Y3Fe5O12, YIG and Fe3Al5O12, IAG)

A sol-gel method based on in situ generation of mixed-metal chelates by complexing metal ions with 1,2-ethanediol or tartaric acid in an aqueous media has been elaborated to prepare iron containing garnets, Y3Fe5O12 (YIG) and Fe3Al5O12 (IAG). The X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) of the powders sintered at 1000 °C showed the formation of monophasic YIG, however the formation of iron aluminium garnet at the same synthesis conditions does not proceed. The phase composition of the samples was additionally characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Micro-structural features of the polycrystalline samples were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The magnetic properties of all these sol-gel derived materials were investigated by Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements.