Flame spray synthesis of monoclinic Lu2O3 nanoparticles
A nanoparticle containing monoclinic lutetium oxide. A method of: dispersing a lutetium salt solution in a stream of oxygen gas to form droplets, and combusting the droplets to form nanoparticles containing lutetium oxide. The combustion occurs at a temperature sufficient to form monoclinic lutetium oxide in the nanoparticles. An article containing lutetium oxide and having an average grain size of at most 10 microns.
1. A method comprising:
dispersing a lutetium salt solution in a stream of oxygen gas and a fuel to form droplets; and
combusting the droplets to form nanoparticles comprising lutetium oxide;
wherein the combustion occurs at a temperature sufficient to form monoclinic lutetium oxide in the nanoparticles.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stream of oxygen gas flows at a rate of at least 3 L/min.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solution further comprises a rare earth salt.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the rare earth salt is a ytterbium salt, a holmium salt, or a europium salt.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
collecting the nanoparticles.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
densifying the nanoparticles to form a monolithic mass.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the densifying is performed by:
mixing the nanoparticles with a sintering agent; and
pressing and sintering the nanoparticles.
8. A method comprising:
dispersing a lutetium salt solution in a stream of oxygen gas and a fuel to form droplets; and
combusting the droplets to form nanoparticles comprising lutetium oxide;
wherein the combustion occurs at flow rates of the oxygen, the fuel, and the solution sufficient to form monoclinic lutetium oxide in the nanoparticles.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the stream of oxygen gas flows at a rate of at least 3 L/min.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the solution further comprises a rare earth salt.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the rare earth salt is a ytterbium salt, a holmium salt, or a europium salt.
12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
collecting the nanoparticles.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
densifying the nanoparticles to form a monolithic mass.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the densifying is performed by:
mixing the nanoparticles with a sintering agent; and
pressing and sintering the nanoparticles.