Journal of MaterialsVolume 2013 (2013), Article ID 359514, 8 pageshttp://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/359514

Research Article

Synthesis, Characterization, and Thermal Decomposition of Pure and Dysprosium Doped Yttrium Phosphate System

K. K. Bamzai, Nidhi Kachroo, Vishal Singh, and Seema Verma

Crystal Growth and Material Research Laboratory, Department of Physics & Electronics, University of Jammu, Jammu 180006, India

Received 30 December 2012; Revised 21 March 2013; Accepted 21 March 2013

Academic Editor: Rodrigo Martins

Copyright © 2013 K. K. Bamzai et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Yttrium phosphate and dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate were synthesized from aqueous solutions using rare earth chloride, phosphoric acid, and traces of ammonium hydroxide. The synthesized material was then characterized for their structural investigations using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) supplemented with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). The spectroscopic investigations were carried out using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The thermal stability was studied using differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that both yttrium phosphate and dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate belong to tetragonal system with lattice parameter  Å,  Å and  Å,  Å, respectively. The stoichiometry of the grown composition was established by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The EDAX analysis suggests the presence of water molecules. The presence of water molecules along with orthophosphate group and metallic ion group was confirmed by FTIR analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis suggests that decomposition in case of yttrium phosphate takes place in three different stages and the final product stabilizes after 706°C, whereas in case of dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate the decomposition occurs in two different stages, and the final product stabilizes after 519°C.

1. Introduction

Rare earth phosphates belong to the family of rare earth zircons. The crystal of rare earth phosphate crystallizes into tetragonal zircon structure. The general formula for rare earth zircon is RXO₄, where “R” = rare earth and “X” = P, V, or As. Here each “X” atom is surrounded by an oxygen tetrahedron, and each rare earth atom surrounded by eight nearest neighbor oxygen atoms [1]. The rare earth ions (R³⁺) and phosphorous (P⁵⁺) ions occupy sites of tetragonal symmetry. There are four molecules per unit cell. Rare earth phosphates find their place in wide variety of applications such as optical materials including lasers [2], phosphors [3], and more recently as anti-UV materials [4]. Rare earth orthophosphates exhibit certain properties that make them of interest as scintillators for gamma-ray detection [5–7], as thermophosphors for remote measurement of temperature on moving components [8], and as rare earth analytical standards [9]. Rare earth codoping in inorganic materials has a long held transition of facilitating highly desirable optoelectronic properties for their potential applications to the laser industry. Rare earth compounds were extensively applied in luminescent and display, such as lighting, field emission display (FED), cathode ray tubes (CRT), and plasma display panel (PDP) [10–12].

Amorphous rare earth phosphates were synthesized by precipitation method [13]. Guo et al. [14] had reported the sol-gel synthesis of RePO₄ (Re = La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Y). Synthesis of rare earth phosphates by wet precipitation method has been reported by different research groups [15–17]. Nedelec et al. [18] reported the dependence of optical properties on the synthesis of YPO₄, whereas the thermal decomposition of RePO₄·nH₂O (Re = La, Ce, Y) was reported by Lucas et al. [19]. Several other authors reported the synthesis of rare earth phosphate compounds by different methods such as high temperature solid state reaction technique, wet chemical precipitation technique, and sol-gel and hydrothermal synthesis [20–24]. The physicochemical properties of the material, which depends on the synthesis route, that is, chemical composition, grain size, morphology, and the crystalline structure, influence the thermal behavior the end product, and therefore their final physicochemical properties. So these factors are of prime importance in the manufacturing processes. There is no study concerning pure and doped yttrium phosphate through the influence synthesis parameters on the characteristics of the resulting material. This paper, therefore, deals with study of yttrium phosphate and dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate grown by an aqueous solution method using constituent material like yttrium chloride, dysprosium chloride, phosphoric acid, and traces of ammonium hydroxide. To the best of author’s knowledge no such detailed work on the synthesis by this method, characterization, and thermal behavior was reported.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Materials Preparation

Yttrium phosphate (YPO₄) hereafter abbreviated as (YP) was grown by reacting phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) with rare earth chlorides (RCl₃, R = Y) using ammonia solution (NH₄OH) to adjust the pH. The chemical used in the present study are: yttrium chloride (YCl₃) and dysprosium chloride (DyCl₃) (Indian Rare Earth Ltd. 99%); phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) and ammonia solution (NH₄OH) (AR grade from S.D.Fine Chemicals). Many researchers have given this technique the name of precipitation method [25] or sol-gel synthesis [14]. However, it is worth noticeable that in all the reported works the synthesized material was later sintered at high temperatures to obtain the crystalline form, whereas in the present work no such sintering or heating of the material was done. In case of YP the material was obtained in the form of crystals at the room temperature, whereas in case of dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate instead of crystals floral shaped growth it was obtained over the condensed gel.

An aqueous solution of 0.5 M of yttrium chloride was mixed with an aqueous solution of 0.5 M of phosphoric acid in the ratio of 1 : 5. Then ammonia solution was added to the mixture drop by drop until a pH of 3 was obtained amid continuous stirring. The solution was then put into the crystallizing dish, then kept undisturbed in the constant temperature bath at ambient temperature (35–40°C). After two weeks, the solvent was evaporated from the crystallizing dish, condensed gel was obtained and cracks were seen on the surface of condensed gel after a few days, and then small size crystals appeared. After the period of 30 days, crystals were taken out and washed under running water. The chemical reaction that took place in the previous process is as follows:

The preparation of 2% dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate (Dy0.02Y0.98PO₄) here after abbreviated as (DyYP) was also based on the same procedure. The solution of yttrium and dysprosium was made in such a way that the only traces of dysprosium nearly 2% appear in the material. An aqueous solution of 0.5 M of yttrium chloride and dysprosium chloride was mixed with an aqueous solution of 0.5 M of phosphoric acid in the ratio of 1 : 5. Then ammonia solution was added to the mixture drop by drop until a pH of 3 was obtained amid continuous stirring. The solution was then kept undisturbed in the constant temperature bath at ambient temperature (35°–40°C). During the period of 40 days, the material in the crystallizer condensed into a gel-like substance and became hard, and after few days, the gel broke into pieces and small flower-like growth appeared over each piece of the condensed gel. The chemical reaction that took place in the previous process is as follows:

2.2. Characterization

The characterization techniques consisted of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) supplemented with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TGA), differential thermogravimetry (DTA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Powder X-ray diffraction was performed using Rich Seifert powder X-ray diffractometer (model ISO Debye Flux 2002). Scanning electron microscope model number-JSM6100 supplemented with energy dispersive X-ray analysis was used to study morphology and elemental composition of the grown crystals. To study the presence of phosphate and other groups in the crystals Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum was obtained on Perkin-Elmer 781 spectrophotometer in the regions from 400 to 4000 cm⁻¹ using KBr pellet. TGA and DTA curves were recorded simultaneously on the thermal analyzer (Shimadzu make DTG-60) over the temperature range from 25 to 1000°C at the heating rate of 10°C/min in the N₂ atmosphere at a flow rate of 30 mL/min.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Optical Microscopy

Optical microscopy was involved for rapid scanning of the grown crystals. Photomicrograph of YP and DyYP is shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), respectively. Yttrium phosphate appears transparent as well as platelet in nature, whereas DyYP shows clear view of the flower-like arrangement.

(a)

(b)

Figure 1: Photomicrograph as seen under optical microscope for (a) yttrium phosphate crystals; (b) dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate.

3.2. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Electron microscopy is a powerful tool to investigate the microstructure of single crystal. Figure 2 shows the SEM image of YP crystal. From the image, it is clear that it is a platelet-like crystal with clear and smooth surfaces. However, DyYP grew in the form of floral growth over the condensed gel. These floral growths were then scanned to have a closer look on the morphology of the material. Figure 3 gives a clear picture of the SEM image of DyYP. From the image, it is seen that the material has grown in such a way that there are striations all over the grown area. Striations are caused by a crystal alternating between crystal faces, as it grows. Striations are generally classified as positive and negative types. Striations, parallel to the crystal faces are called positive striations and those perpendiculars to the growth faces are called negative striations [26]. In the present case, since the striations were parallel to the growth surface, they are suggested to be positive striations. Temperature fluctuations are often regarded as the root cause of all types of striations [27].

Figure 2: Scanning electron micrograph of pure YP crystal which clearly shows the platelet morphology of the crystal.

Figure 3: Scanning electron micrograph of floral part of DyYP revealed certain kind of striations at the surface of the grown material.

3.3. X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD)

Figure 4(a) shows the XRD graph of YP crystal. The graph consists of high resolved peaks at some specific 2θ Bragg’s angles depicting the crystalline nature of the material. The data was compared with JCPDS data number 84–0335 which suggest that crystal belongs to tetragonal system. The cell parameters were found to be  Å,  Å. The unit cell volume as calculated by WINPLOTR software comes out to be 285.3 cubic Å. Figure 4(b) shows the diffraction pattern of the DyYP crystal. From the graph, it is clear that like YP, DyYP also has a well-versed crystallinity. The lattice parameters for DyYP comes out to be  Å,  Å. The unit cell volume came out to be 294.6 cubic Å.

(a)

(b)

Figure 4: XRD diffractograms which clearly depict the presence of crystallinity in the material, along with indexing of all the prominent peaks for (a) yttrium phosphate (YP); (b) dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate (DyYP).

3.4. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDAX)

To study the elemental composition of YP and DyYP, qualitative and quantitative analysis were performed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The spectrum obtained from EDAX analyses is shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b). EDAX pattern shows peaks corresponding to all the major elements present in the grown crystals as should be expected from YP system. The spectra corresponding to doped DyYP shows peaks corresponding to all the major elements, that is, yttrium, phosphorous, and oxygen along with dysprosiumby suggesting that Dy has entered into the lattice of YP system. However, along with these elements some trace impurities in the form of chlorine and nitrogen were observed. The experimental and theoretical calculated atomic and weight percentages of elements in YP and DyYP is given in Tables 1(a) and 1(b), respectively. For YP crystals the theoretical values were calculated as per the formula YPO₄·H₂O, whereas for DyYP system the values were calculated as per the formula Dy0.02Y0.98PO₄·2H₂O. However, it is important to mention here that EDAX analysis does not give experimental values of atomic and weight percentage for lighter elements like hydrogen. Therefore, in the table theoretical values of the lighter element (H) based on the formula have been given, and it is found that the experimental and theoretical values are in close agreement with each other within the experimental error. The presence of H₂O molecules in YP and DyYP was further confirmed by FTIR and thermoanalytical analysis.

Table 1: Experimental and theoretical calculated composition obtained from energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) of various constituent elements present in the following cases.

(a) Yttrium phosphate (YPO₄)

Element
Experimental values
Theoretical values

Wt%
At%
Wt%
At%

Oxygen
32.92
56.34
30.8
55.42

Phosphorous
11.08
12.03
11.95
11.08

Yttrium
33.15
09.23
34.31
11.08

Hydrogen
—
—
22.94
22.42

(b) Dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate (Dy:YPO₄)

Element
Experimental values
Theoretical values

Wt%
At%
Wt%
At%

Oxygen
40.12
68.07
42.15
70.89

Phosphorous
11.29
12.19
13.60
11.82

Dysprosium
01.13
00.68
01.43
00.24

Yttrium
38.40
10.10
38.26
11.58

Hydrogen
—
—
4.56
5.47

(a)

(b)

Figure 5: EDAX spectra showing the presence of suggested elements along with some impurity elements for (a) Yttrium phosphate (YP); (b) Dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate (DyYP).

3.5. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR)

The infrared spectrum is formed as a consequence of the absorption of electromagnetic radiation at frequencies that correlate with the vibration of specific sets of chemical bonds from a molecule. Thus, the vibrational spectrum of a molecule is considered to be a unique physical property and is characteristic of the molecule. Figures 6(a) and 6(b) shows the FTIR spectrum for YP and DyYP, respectively. On analyzing the spectrum, it was observed that grown crystals show the presence of water molecules, orthophosphate group and metallic ions group. For the water vibration in addition to the wide bands associated with different types of OH groups extending from 3829.4 to 2424.2 in case of YP and from 3829.4 to 2381.9 in case of DyYP the presence of two bands at 1631.6, 1596 in YP and 1631.4, 1595.1 in DyYP is indicative of the characteristics of coordinated water molecule [19], that is, the hydrated water molecule in the as-synthesized sample are chemically bonded to the rare earth ions [28, 29]. The bands from orthophosphate functional group were observed at 1074.9, 1070.9, 1007.5, and 933.6 cm⁻¹ in both the cases with the difference that for doped yttrium phosphate the values of transmittance decreases which can be attributed to the doping effect [30, 31]. The band around this wave number was attributed to the symmetric stretching mode () and asymmetric stretching mode () of PO₄ tetrahedron [32, 33]. The bands at 630.7, 627.2, 542.6, and 531.2 cm⁻¹ show the presence of metallic ions. Tables 2(a) and 2(b) give complete information about the type of functional groups present in YP and DyYP along with their frequency bands and transmittance percentage.

Table 2: Presence of various functional groups along with their frequency bands and transmittance percentage for the following.

(a) Yttrium phosphate (YPO₄)

Assignments of bands/peaks
IR bands (cm⁻¹)
Transmittance percentage (%)

1070.9
10%

PO₄
1007.5
18%

933.6
20%

OH
3829.4
60%

3142.6
2%

Metallic ion
627.2
30%

542.6
60%

(b) Dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate (Dy:YPO₄)

Assignments of bands/peaks
IR bands (cm⁻¹)
Transmittance percentage (%)

PO₄
1074.9
5%

1007.5
10%

OH
3829.4
60%

3142.6
5%

Metallic ion
630.7
25%

531.2
20%

(a)

(b)

Figure 6: FT-IR spectra depicting the various functional groups present in (a) yttrium phosphate (YPO₄); (b) dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate (Dy:YPO₄).

3.6. Thermal Decomposition

Thermogravimetric analysis is a technique to assess the stability of various substances. Figures 7(a) and 7(b) show the simultaneously recorded thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTA) curve for YP and DyYP crystal. Thermograms were first analyzed to obtain information about the percentage mass loss at different temperatures and hence about the thermal stability and kinetics of dissociation of crystals. YP and DyYP when heated at a uniform rate of 10°C/min, mass was found to lose continuously, as a function of temperature applied. For YP starts to decompose at 39°C, and the decomposition went up to 706°C in three different stages. However, in case of DyYP the decomposition starts at 43°C, and the thermal stability was acquired by the material at 519°C in two different stages. During these temperature ranges, the mass loss was 50.9% and 32.6% for YP and DyYP respectively. Therefore, the mechanism involved in the decomposition of the constituent material is different for pure and doped one. Our group has earlier reported [34, 35] the growth and thermal kinetics of pure and cadmium-doped barium/calcium phosphate single crystal.

(a)

(b)

Figure 7: (a) Thermograph depicting simultaneous recording of TGA and DTA curves which clearly shows that pure YPO₄ crystal is thermally unstable as the temperature increases from room temperature to higher values. (b) Thermograph of Dy:YPO₄ depicting the TGA and DTA curves shows that it is thermally more stable as compared to the pure crystals of YPO₄.

From Figure 7(a), YP system is thermally stable up to a temperature of 39°C and thereafter starts decomposing. The whole process of decomposition completes in three steps. The first stage of decomposition begins from 39°C and continues up to a temperature of 176°C resulting in a weight loss of 7.9% of the total weight. First step of decomposition involves conversion of hydrated YP crystal into anhydrous in nature. The second stage of decomposition starts from 176°C and ends at a temperature of 437°C leading to weight loss of 37%. This weight loss in the second stage of decomposition corresponds to the conversion of anhydrous YPO₄ to Y₂O₃. The third stage of decomposition starts from 437°C and goes up to 706°C resulting in weight loss of 6% during which the intermediate product Y₂O₃ decomposes to form YO with the release of half a molecule of oxygen as the final product. This type of fractional release of oxygen molecule has also been reported earlier by Brown [36] during the thermal decomposition of inorganic solids. Table 3(a) gives the compiled summary of the decomposition process of YPO₄·H₂O. It can be seen that the calculated weight loss is in close proximity with the observed values. Based on these thermal analyses, we confirm that the grown crystal is having a composition of YPO₄·H₂O.

Table 3: Results of thermal decomposition for different temperature ranges with observed and calculated weight loss in the following cases.

(a) Yttrium phosphate (YP)

Stage
Temperature (°C)
Decomposition steps
Weight loss (%)

Observed
Calculated

First
39–176
YPO₄·H₂O → YPO₄ + H₂O
7.9
8.9

Second
176–437
2[YPO₄] → Y₂O₃ + P₂O₅(g)
37
38.7

Third
437–706
Y₂O₃ → YO + 0.5O₂(g)
6
7

(b) Dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate (DyYP)

Stage
Temperature (°C)
Decomposition steps
Weight loss (%)

Observed
Calculated

First
43–176
Dy0.02Y0.98PO₄·2H₂O → Dy0.02Y0.98PO₄ + 2H₂O
13.65
16.28

Second
176–519
3[Dy0.02Y0.98PO₄] → (Dy0.02Y0.98)₂P₂O7 + PO₃(g) + O₂
19.04
19.95

From the thermogram of DyYP (Figure 7(b)), it is clear that the doped crystal is thermally stable up to temperature of 43°C, which means that doped crystal is more stable than pure one. In case of DyYP, the decomposition takes place in two steps. In the first step from 43 to 176°C, two water molecules attached to the doped system get decomposed. In the second stage of the decomposition, doped orthophosphate reduces to pyrophosphate with the release of phosphorous oxide and oxygen. Table 3(b) gives detailed summary of the decomposition of Dy0.02Y0.98PO₄·2H₂O along with observed as well as calculated weight losses. In this case, the calculated and observed weight losses are in close agreement with each other. It is worth mentioning here that the temperature for the formation of stable product after decomposition in case of pure one is 706°C, whereas in case of doped one the stable product is formed at a temperature of 519°C. This means that the temperature for the formation of end product decreases with dysprosium substitution.

The thermal decomposition of YPO₄ into yttrium oxide through different stages has been accomplished with the release of H₂O, P₂O₅ and O₂, whereas for doped Dy:YPO₄ the decomposition was accompanied by the release of H₂O, PO₃, and O₂. Corresponding to each stage of decomposition, there are endothermic and exothermic peaks in the DTA curve. As seen from DTA curve in case of YP (Figure 7(a)) and DyYP (Figure 7(b)) there is well-marked endothermic and exothermic peak corresponding to each stage of decomposition. Since peaks in DTA curve correspond to weight loss in TGA curve, thereby suggesting that some changes takes place in the material because of the weight loss in the material.

From the thermal analysis of the system, we can therefore confirm that product formed in the pure form, that is, yttrium phosphate is associated with one water molecules having composition YPO₄·H₂O, whereas the doped one that is, dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate, is associated with two water molecules having composition Dy0.02Y0.98PO₄·2H₂O. These compositions were further supported by other analyses like energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

4. Conclusions

From the research work carried out over the synthesis and characterization of the pure and dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate, the following conclusions can be drawn.(1) Pure yttrium phosphate with composition YPO₄·H₂O is obtained in the form of platelet like crystals, whereas the dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate having composition Dy0.02Y0.98PO₄·2H₂O is obtained in the form of floral growth on the condensed gel. (2) Yttrium phosphate and dysprosium doped yttrium phosphate belong to tetragonal system. The lattice parameters obtained in case of YP are  Å,  Å. Similarly the lattice parameters in case of doped one, that is, DyYP, come out to be  Å,  Å. Thus, the crystal structure of yttrium phosphate remains unaffected by modification of its composition by dysprosium.(3) Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies give a clear picture about the morphology of the grown crystals. The qualitative and quantitative elemental analyses employing EDAX technique confirm the presence of major elements in the grown material. The stoichiometric composition of the grown system as established by EDAX technique is YPO₄·H₂O and Dy0.02Y0.98PO₄·2H₂O. (4) Fourier transformed infrared studies on YP and DyYP confirm the presence of water molecules, orthophosphate functional group and metallic ion group. The frequency bands within the range of 3829.4 to 2424.2 cm⁻¹ are attributed to the presence of water molecules. The effect of doping can be seen clearly in FTIR spectrum where the transmittance percentage decreases in case of DyYP.(5) The thermal studies carried out on YP and DyYP reveal that pure yttrium phosphate is less stable as compared to doped yttrium phosphate. YPO₄ starts to decompose early and becomes stable at a later stage in comparison to its doped counterpart.(6) The thermal decomposition of YP into the final stable product of yttrium monoxide underwent three different stages with the release of H₂O, P₂O₅, and O₂ whereas for DyYP the decomposition was accompanied by the release of H₂O, PO₃, and O₂, and a final product of doped yttrium pyrophosphate was obtained.

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