Study on phase evolution of GdAl1−xGaxO3 system

In the present investigation, phase evolution of GdAl1−xGaxO3 system was investigated by preparing a series of powders through citrate gel route. The powders were calcined at 1000 °C for 2 h and characterized for phase purity using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Sintering of a few selected compositions was carried out at 1550 °C for 4 h. The microstructural analysis of the sintered specimens was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDS). It was observed that the preparation of GdGaO3 through citrate gel route resulted in the formation of two-phase mixture of Gd3Ga5O12 and Gd2O3. In GdAl1−xGaxO3 system, gallium could be dissolved in GdAlO3 lattice up to a doping level of 4 mol%. At higher doping level, the un-dissolved gallium precipitated in the form of Gd3Al4GaO12.