Yttrium oxide-aluminum oxide composite particles and method for the preparation thereof

摘要

Provided by the invention is a powder of alumina-yttria composite particles of which each particle has a structure consisting of a core of alumina and cladding layer of yttria. By virtue of the microscopically intimate and uniform mixing condition of the two oxide components, the powder is useful as a base material of sintered ceramic bodies or as an ingredient in a protective film on fluorescent lamps. The composite particles are prepared by a process comprising the steps of: suspending alumina particles in an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble yttrium salt such as nitrate; dissolving urea in the aqueous suspension; heating the suspension at an elevated temperature to effect hydrolysis of urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide forming a layer of yttrium basic carbonate on the alumina particles; and calcining the basic carbonate-clad particles of alumina at a specified temperature to convert the basic carbonate of yttrium into yttrium oxide.