Nd:YAG nano-crystalline powders derived by combining co-precipitation method with citric acid treatment

Nd-doped YAG nanocrystalline powders were prepared by combining a co-precipitation method with a citric acid treatment. Structural evolution features of the as-prepared nanocrystalline powders were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. Results indicate that the mass loss of the precursor occurs with the citric acid being introduced into the cationic solution, however, the composition of the raw materials can be invariably kept unvarying, which is confirmed by an existence of only the pure YAG crystalline phase. It is also found that the shape of the obtained particles can be changed and the dispersion of the particles can be obviously improved with the addition of the citric acid. Furthermore, effect of the citric acid on the formation of the particles during the co-precipitation has been theoretically explained.