Sintering of nanostructured Sc2O3 ceramics from sol–gel-derived nanoparticles

Sol–gel route was used to synthesize scandium oxides nanopowders. Oxohydroxide nanoparticles were first prepared in solution using ScCl3·xH2O as precursor. The influence of pH and reflux time on particle size and shape was studied. Sc2O3 nanoparticles were then obtained after water dialysis and ScOOH sol drying. Depending on pH, 40–1000nm size ScOOH particles can be obtained. At a given pH, reflux time also influences the ScOOH particles size, which can vary from a few nanometers to 1µm.