What Is Yttrium Oxide?
Yttrium oxide, also known as yttria, is an inorganic compound composed of yttrium and oxygen with the chemical formula Y2O3. It appears as a white powdered solid, exhibiting various applications across industries.
Applications of Yttrium Oxide
1. Luminescent Materials
Yttrium oxide is instrumental in producing luminescent materials such as YVO4:Eu, Y2O3:Eu, and Y2O2S:Eu, which impart red color to color TV CRTs. These materials offer high color purity and narrow line width in emission spectra, making them ideal for high color-rendering fluorescent lamps and other applications requiring faithful color reproduction.
2. Laser Materials
Yttrium oxide is a key component in solid-state lasers, particularly those employing ytterbium as a dopant. These lasers operate efficiently in both continuous wave and pulsed regimes, finding application in various fields.
3. Dental Ceramics
In dentistry, yttrium oxide stabilizes zirconia to create yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), a hard ceramic material used for dental restorations.
4. Microwave Filters
Yttrium oxide contributes to the production of yttrium iron garnet (YIG), a highly effective microwave filter utilized in microwave, acoustic, optical, and magneto-optical applications.
5. Other Applications
Yttrium oxide finds further use in superconducting materials, fine ceramics, optical lenses, materials for nickel-hydrogen batteries, and various other industrial applications.
Properties of Yttrium Oxide
Yttrium oxide has a melting/solidification point of 2,420°C and a boiling point of approximately 4,300°C. It possesses a density of 5.01 g/cm3 and a thermal conductivity of 27 W/(m-K). Chemically, it is almost insoluble in water but soluble in dilute nitric acid. It adopts a fluorite-type cubic crystal structure with octahedral coordination.
Other Information on Yttrium Oxide
1. Production and Discovery
Yttrium oxide was first isolated in 1789 by Johan Gadolin from a rare earth mineral found in the Ytterby mine near Stockholm, Sweden. It also occurs naturally as yttriaite, a mineral species discovered in 2010.
2. Legal Considerations
Relevant laws and regulations include labeling and notification requirements under the Safety and Health Law. Yttrium oxide does not fall under major regulations such as the Fire Service Law.
3. Handling and Storage Precautions
When handling yttrium oxide, it is important to keep the container tightly closed and store it in a cool, dark place. Outdoor or well-ventilated areas should be chosen for usage, with precautions taken against dust dispersion and electrostatic discharge. Protective gloves and glasses are recommended, and thorough hand washing is advised after handling. In case of skin or eye contact, appropriate rinsing and medical attention should be sought if necessary.