Cathodic electrodeposition and characterization of nanostructured Y2O3 from chloride solution Part I: Effect of current density

Nanoparticles, nanospheres and nanorods of Y(OH)₃ and Y₂O₃ were prepared via cathodic electrodeposition from chloride bath through applying different current densities. First, yttrium hydroxide precursors were cathodically grown on the cathode surface at the current densities of 2, 1, 0.5, 0.25 and 0.1 mA cm^?2. Then hydroxide powders were heat-treated at 600°C for 3 h. The composition, crystal structure and morphology of the prepared oxide and hydroxide products were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetery (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopes (SEM and TEM) and FT-IR spectroscopy. Mechanism of base electrogeneration at the applied conditions, and intercalation of chloride ions in the deposit structure during the electrodeposition were proposed and confirmed by the XRD and TG analyses. The results showed that the structural and morphological properties of the products are directly dictated by the applied current density and it can be recognized as the main factor affecting on the cathodic electrodeposition of Y₂O₃.