Structural and vibrational properties of phase - pure monoclinic NdLuO3 interlanthanides synthesized from nanostructured precursors.

Abstract

Phase-pure monoclinic NdLuO3 interlanthanides were successfully synthesized from hydrothermalderived precursors. LuO(OH) and Nd(OH)3 materials were firstly obtained by hydrothermal synthesis at 250 _C, for 24 h. X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopies were employed to investigate the thermal behavior of these precursors and NdLuO3 interlanthanide up to 1600 _C. It was observed that LuO(OH) and Nd(OH)3 were converted to cubic lanthanide oxides below 1000 _C. Cubic Nd2O3 has changed to the monoclinic structure at 1000 _C, followed by reaction with cubic Lu2O3 at 1400 _C to produce monoclinic NdLuO3. Phase-pure monoclinic (C2/m space group, #12) interlanthanide was then produced at 1600 _C for the first time, as confirmed by all the employed techniques. Phonon modes were additionally determined and assigned for this monoclinic structure.