Growth kinematics and characterization of rare earth mixed crystals in Silica Gel

Abstract

Well-characterized crystals are the building blocks of the modern science. Recent investigations on the fluorescence of some rare earth oxalates suggest their potentiality for their optical applications. Rare earth oxalates evoked greater attention because of their ionic conduction. Synthesis of superconducting compounds by the controlled precipitation of oxalates followed by calcinations had been reported. The ferroelectric and ferroelastic properties of rare earth molybdates and oxalates find application in electro and acousto optical devices. Yttrium Oxalate crystals, Yttrium Barium Oxalate crystals, Yttrium Copper Oxalate crystals, Yttrium Barium Copper Oxalate crystals, Praseodymium Barium Copper Oxalate crystals, Neodymium Barium Copper Oxalate crystals, Gadolinium Barium Copper Oxalate crystals and Dysprosium Barium Copper Oxalate crystals were grown by gel method. The grown crystals were characterized by X-ray analysis, Infrared analysis, Thermal analysis, DSC, ICP AES, EDAX and Microhardness. The electrical conductivity of rare earth mixed oxalate crystals was found to increase with increase of frequency and temperature. Rare earth mixed grown crystals showed negative photoconducting nature. From the microwave studies it had been observed that the rare earth mixed oxalate crystals grown exhibit considerable dielectric loss. So the rare earth mixed oxalate crystals can be used for the preparation of microwave absorbing materials for electro magnetic shielding.