Synthesis of highly sinterable Yb: SrF2 nanopowders for transparent ceramics

In this paper, ytterbium doped strontium fluoride (Yb: SrF2) nanoparticles were synthesized by direct precipitation method. High-speed centrifugation was used to separate high sintering activity of nanopowders from powders with hard aggregated and large size. Using powders at different parts of the centrifugal tube as starting powders, Yb: SrF2 transparent ceramics was fabricated by hot pressed (HP) method for the first time. Effects of morphology and particle size on the sinterability of Yb: SrF2 nanopowders were investigated. The transmittance reached 77% at the wavelength of 1200 nm and pores stilled remained in the ceramics. The spectroscopic and thermal properties of Yb: SrF2 transparent ceramics were also investigated. This paper provides an effective way to obtain well dispersed and high sinterability nanoparticles for SrF2 ceramics sintering.