XRD,TEM and thermal analysis of yttrium doped boehmite nanofibres and nanosheets

Yttrium doped boehmite nanofibres with varying yttrium content have been prepared at low temperatures using a hydrothermal treatment in the presence of poly(ethylene oxide) surfactant (PEO). The resultant nanofibres were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM images showed the resulting nanostructures are predominantly nanofibres when Y-doping is less than 5%; in contrast Y-rich phases were formed when doping was around 10%. The doped boehmite and the subsequent nanofibres/nanotubes were analyzed by thermogravimetric and controlled rate thermal analysis methods. The boehmite nanofibres produced in this research thermally transform at higher temperatures than boehmite crystals and boehmite platelets. Boehmite nanofibres decompose at higher temperatures than non-hydrothermally treated boehmite.