SYNTHESIS AND PROCESSING OF InVO4 CERAMICS

Indium vanadates for severe applications as photocatalysts, anodes for Li rechargeable batteries or electrochromic devices were prepared via conventional and non-conventional preparation methods. The conventional high temperature solid state reaction was performed at 800°C for 25 hours and the non-conventional microwave-assisted synthesis was performed at 220°C for different reaction times under hydrothermal conditions. The as-prepared powders were characterized in terms of phase composition by X-Ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) and of powder morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and BET method. Nanosized indium vanadate powders were successfully synthesized by non-conventional microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The dense ceramic bodies suitable for electrical conductivity measurements with 96% t.d. were obtained by sintering of powders prepared by high-temperature solid state reaction at 1100°C for 4 h with admission of oleic acid as a binder additive.