Preparation and Properties of Monodispersed Colloidal Particles of Lanthanide Compounds: III, Yttrium(III) and Mixed Yttrium(III)/Cerium(III) Systems

Colloidal dispersions of uniform spherical particles of yttrium basic carbonate and rodlike particles of yttrium ammine carbonate were prepared by aging at elevated temperatures yttrium salt solutions in the presence of urea. Different composition and morphology were achieved by altering the aging temperature and time. Coprecipitation in mixed solutions of yttrium(III) and cerium(III) salts under similar experimental conditions yielded composite spherical particles of basic carbonate. The content of the two metals in the solids followed closely the initial composition of the reacting solutions. On calcination all prepared solids converted to their corresponding oxides while retaining their particle morphology. The so‐prepared powders were characterized by various techniques.