Obtaining nanodisperse powders of neodymium-activated yttrium aluminum garnet by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis method

Nanosized slightly agglomerated powders of neodymium-activated yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG:Nd) were obtained by a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis method. An increase in content of reducing substituents in metal-organic complexes as compared to oxidizing substituents leads to an increase in average size of the forming grains from 23 to 70 nm; thereupon, a decrease in powder agglomeration degree is observed. Firing of x-ray amorphous powders results in formation of polycrystalline YAG:Nd without forming intermediate phases.