Sol-Gel Synthesis, Thermal Behavior of Nanopowders and Chemical Stability of La1 – xHoxPO4 Ceramic Matrices

Abstract

Nanosized powders of orthophosphates in the LaPO₄–HoPO₄–H₂O system have been synthesized to determine the mutual solubility of LaPO₄ · nH₂O and HoPO₄ · nH₂O initial components and to obtain ceramic matrices by sintering them. Formation of hexagonal, monoclinic or tetragonal solid solutions was revealed, and their limits and thermal stability were determined. A series of limited hexagonal LaPO₄ · nH₂O-based solid solutions was observed within the 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6 concentration range up to 600°C. Further they transformed to monoclinic LaPO₄-based form within the 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3 concentration range. Solubility of LaPO₄ · nH₂O and LaPO₄ in tetragonal HoPO₄(· nH₂O) is lower (≤10 mol %). Specific surface area of La_1–xHo_xPO₄ · nH₂O powders was in the range of 90.5–165.0 m²/g depending on x. Leaching rate of La³⁺ and Ho³⁺ from La_1–xHo_xPO₄ matrices in nitric acid solution (pH 1–2) was determined to be 10^–5–10^–2 g/(cm² day) for both ions.