Cathodic electrodeposition and characterization of nanostructured Y2O3 from nitrate solution. Part I: Effect of current density

Particle, plate and flaky-like nanostructures of Y(OH) 3 and Y 2 O 3 were prepared via cathodic electrodeposition from nitrate bath by applying different current densities. In the first step, yttrium hydroxide precursors were cathodically grown on the cathode surface at the current densities of 2, 1, 0.5, 0.25 and 0.1 mA cm −2 . The obtained hydroxide powders were heat-treated at 600°C for 3 h. The products were characterized by means of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen (CHN), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FT-IR spectroscopy. From the CHN, XRD and TG results, the mechanism of base electro generation at the applied conditions and the intercalation of nitrate ions in the deposit structure were proposed and confirmed. The results showed that the structural and morphological properties of the products are directly determined by the applied current density and it can be recognized as a main factor affecting in the cathodic electrodeposition of Y 2 O 3 .