Structural, electronic and magnetic properties of Y4Al2O9 sol-gel powders with Tb3+ and Yb3+ co-doping

•The modified sol-gel method was used to obtain of nanopowders Y4Al2O9: Tb, Yb.•SEM examination proved that nanoscale grains were obtained in all the samples.•Results of SQUID magnetometry confirmed the nominal concentration of the co-dopants.•XRD confirmed formation of the proper phase with small addition of yttrium garnet.•XPS showed variety of Y-O bonding due to a local disorder and surface contamination.

The modified sol-gel method was used to obtain of Y4Al2O9 nanopowders co-doped with Tb, Yb cations. SEM microstructure examination proved that nanoscale grains were obtained in all samples. Complex lines of Y3d, O1s and Al2p were found in the photoelectron spectra. The XPS energy gap in the valence band was estimated as about 4.6 eV. Results of SQUID magnetometry measurements confirmed nominal concentration of the co-dopants.

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