Core and shell structure of ytterbium sesquioxide nanoparticles

This paper reports results concerning the crystal structure of core and shell as well as microstructure of 25 nm-ytterbium sesquioxide (Yb2O3) nanoparticles synthesized using a unique method based on thermal decomposition of a 2,4 pentadione complex. Used Raman spectroscopy measurements indicate core/shell structure, with monoclinic or a mixture of monoclinic and cubic symmetry of the particle shell. In addition, XRPD and SAED confirmed bixbyite structure type for the core (space group Ia3¯). Broadening of the observed Raman bands indicates structural distortions in the nanocrystalline sample. The size/strain analysis was done on XRPD data using Fullprof/MarqX approach. Anisotropy of X-ray line broadening is caused by size effects only. The resulting mean microstrain (6 × 10−4) points to a low concentration of defects within the crystallites.