Evolution of Crystalline Phase and Morphology of the Products Formed during the Hydrothermal Synthesis of Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> Powders

The crystalline phase and morphology of the products formed during the synthesis of yttrium oxide via the hydrothermal treatment yttrium nitrate were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Products with high OH/NO 3 ratios are formed with the increasing of hydrothermal treatment. The crystalline phases are evolved from Y 2 (OH) 5.14 (NO 3 ) 0.86 •H 2 O toY 4 O(OH) 9 (NO 3 ) and finally Y(OH) 3 . The hydrothermal reaction conditions play an important role in the synthesis of the microstructures. Results show the particle size and final morphology of samples could be controlled by reaction temperature, reaction time, and OH - concentration. Sheets, hexagonal and needle-like Y 2 O 3 powders are obtained with the hydrothermal treatment of yittrium nitrate at 180 oC to 200oC for 2-8 hours at pH 9-13.