Abstract

Background: Rare earth elements (Re), nickel and oxygen could form a series of compounds with the general formula Re_n+1Ni_nO_3n+1 whose structures are described by stacking along the c-axis of n finite LaNiO₃ pervoskite layers separated by ReO rock salt like layers.

Objective: This study aims at synthesing Y₄Ni₃O₁₀ (YNO) by ball milling and annealing procedures using oxides of rare earth element, yttrium (Y) and transition metal, nickel (Ni) oxides as a precursor.

Methods: X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) is used to investigate samples and magnetic measurements were conducted using a vibrating sample magnetometer.

Results and Conclusion: The XRD exhibits that there is no significant formation of the compound Y₄Ni₃O₁₀ under lower speed of the mill (about 300 rpm). The Y₄Ni₃O₁₀ compound is partially formed by increasing the mill speed to 500 rpm. There are a number of significant peaks that have been observed in the XRD patterns. The annealed samples without milling up to 1200°C have no effect on the formation of the specified compound. Y₄Ni₃O₁₀ compound has formed with annealing and high speed of mill. Milling and annealing have a significant effect on the crystallite size of the materials. The crystallite size of phases is varied within nano-range. Magnetic properties of oxide mixture, milled and annealed, which form the Y₄Ni₃O₁₀ compound, were studied by means of a vibrating sample magnetometer. Annealed samples show low magnetization. The saturation magnetization increases with milling. There are a number of patents invented using rare earth metals, and used in many applications, such as magnets, coats, and biomedical devices.

Keywords: Annealing, ball milling, nanostructure, rare earth nickel oxide, rare earth patents, X-ray diffraction.