Studies on the formation of yttrium iron garnet (YIG) through stoichiometry modification prepared by conventional solid-state method

Y3Fe5O12 (YIG) prepared by conventional solid-state method can rarely be of high purity. However, this study suggests that high purity YIG can be produced via conventional solid-state methods, through stoichiometry modification. This is achieved by adding various amounts of excess Fe2O3 to control the YIG stoichiometric ratios. In this work, ferrite and yttria were calcined at 1100 degrees C (for 8 h) and sintered at 1420 degrees C (6 h). In most samples, the formation of YIG, with YFeO3 (YIP) and/or Fe2O3 as associated phases were detected. Uniform microstructures of YIG are also observed. YIP phase in YIG is found to be inversely related to the addition of excess Fe2O3, up to 8 wt%. At above 8 wt% Fe2O3 addition, YIP disappears, leaving unreacted excess Fe2O3 as a new associated phase. From the investigation, it is safe to conclude that the purity of YIG can be increased with the addition of excess Fe2O3. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.