Synthesis and characterization of nanometric gadolinia powders by room temperature solid-state displacement reaction and low temperature calcination

Nanometric-sized gadolinia (Gd2O3) powders were obtained by applying solid-state displacement reaction at room temperature and low temperature calcination. The XRD analysis revealed that the room temperature product was gadolinium hydroxide, Gd(OH)3. In order to induce crystallization of Gd2O3, the subsequent calcination at 600 ∼ 1200 °C of the room temperature reaction products was studied. Calculation of average crystallite size (D) as well as separation of the effect of crystallite size and strain of nanocrystals was performed on the basic of Williamson-Hall plots. The morphologies of powders calcined at different temperatures were followed by scanning electron microscopy. The pure cubic Gd2O3 phase was made at 600 °C which converted to monoclinic Gd2O3 phase between 1400° and 1600 °C. High-density (96% of theoretical density) ceramic pellet free of any additives was obtained after pressureless sintering at 1600 °C for 4 h in air, using calcined powder at 600 °C.