Optimization of parameters for the synthesis of Y2Cu2O5 nanoparticles by Taguchi method and comparison of their magnetic and optical properties with their bulk counterpart

Y2Cu2O5 nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel combustion method and effects of different factors on the size of nanoparticles were investigated. In order to reduce the experimental stages, Taguchi robust design method was employed. Acid citric:Cu+2 M ratio, pH, sintering temperature and time were chosen as the parameters for optimization. Among these factors the solution pH had the most influence and the others had nearly the same influence on the nanoparticles sizes. Based on the predicted conditions by Taguchi design, the sample with a minimum particle size of 47 nm was prepared. The magnetic behavior of Y2Cu2O5 nanoparticles were measured and found that at low fields they are soft ferromagnetic but at high fields they behave paramagnetically. The magnetic behavior of nanoparticles were compared to their bulk counterparts and found that the Mr of the samples was slightly different, but the Hc of the nanoparticles was 76% of the bulk sample. The maximum absorbance peak of UV-vis spectrum showed a blue shift for the smaller particles.