Kinetically controlled synthesis of metastable YAlO3 through molecular level design

Abstract

Heterometal alkoxide [YAl(OPrⁱ)₆(PrⁱOH)]₂ has been used as a molecular template for the controlled and selective synthesis of metastable yttrium aluminate (YAlO₃, YAP) in nanocrystalline form. The results indicate that the strict control over the Y∶Al ratio (1∶1) in the precursor suppresses the formation of other Y∶Al compositions (Y₃Al₅O₁₂, YAG and Y₄Al₂O₉, YAM) that are thermodynamically favoured over YAP in the conventional synthesis.