Influence of the synthesis method on the optical properties of Y3Fe5O12

Abstract

     This work reports the structural, microstructural and optical study of yttrium iron oxide, Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ synthesized by four different methods: solid state reaction, Pechini sol-gel, hydrothermal synthesis and coprecipitation. The characterization by powder X-ray diffraction showed the presence of a single pure phase corresponding to the garnet-type cubic structure. The morphological analysis was carried out by scanning electron microscopy, micrographs show differences in the sizes and shapes of the particles. The optical study shows the spectral optical reflection characteristic and colorimetric quantification. The diffuse reflectance spectra exhibit a clear difference in amplitude and position in the high bands. These differences are associated with the microstructural characteristics produced by the synthesis method. CIELAB values are reported to quantify the color. Energy values ​​of the forbidden gap were calculated from the diffuse reflectance spectra by the Tauc method, are reported. An increase of the gap energy was observed as the particle size decreases.