Novel scalable synthesis of luminescent and magnetic single crystal garnets

Author(s)

Nalin, Marcelo ; Albino, Leonardo V. ; Lodi, Thiago A. ; Orives, Juliane R. ; Marcondes, Lia M. ; Habib, Adamu A. ; Acosta, Maria Helena R. ; Zanotto, Edgar D. ; Franco, Douglas F.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MATERIALS HORIZONS; v. N/A, p. 5-pg., 2025-04-17.

Abstract

This letter reports a novel method for synthesizing RE3Ga5O12, RE3Al5O12, and RE3Fe5O12 single-crystal garnets, where RE refers to rare earth elements, including Sc and Y. The garnets are crystallized upon cooling melts of heavy metal oxide glass-forming compositions containing the desired rare earth element. The novelty of this method lies in its ability to reproducibly obtain cubic single-crystal garnets doped with different rare earth elements using the same chemical route, with variations only in the melting temperature and cooling rate. A supersaturated composition in rare earth elements is melted at similar to 1200 degrees C. During the cooling process, cubic crystals precipitate and grow from the supercooled liquid. A unique feature of this approach is that the resulting micrometric, almost monodispersed crystals are uniformly distributed within a residual glass matrix that can be easily etched away. A series of garnets were synthesized and characterized using several techniques. The main details for each family of garnets are presented herein. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/07793-6 - CEPIV - Center for Teaching, Research and Innovation in Glass
• Grantee: Edgar Dutra Zanotto
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 23/09906-4 - Development of new methodologies for the manufacture of optical fibers from exotic glasses
• Grantee: Thiago Augusto Lodi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Support Program for Fixating Young Doctors
• FAPESP's process: 23/01625-6 - Development of new methodologies for the manufacture of optical fibers from exotic glasses
• Grantee: Marcelo Nalin
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants