Porous network of Y2O3 nanorods prepared by electrogeneration of base in chloride medium

A porous network of Y2O3 nanorods was successfully prepared by an easy two-step and template-free process. Firstly, Y(OH)3 was galvanostatically grown on steel cathode by electrogeneration of base in chloride medium. Then it was thermally converted to oxide via heat treatment. Phase transformations during the heat treatment of deposit were proposed. Morphological studies showed that the obtained oxide has a porous network, composed of intercrossed nanorods. The nanorods are 200–300 nm in length and 50–70 nm in diameter. The mechanism of base electrogeneration in chloride medium, the deposition of Y(OH)3 nanorods on the cathode surface and their thermal conversion to Y2O3 have been discussed.