Nano-sized β-SiC nanoparticles were synthesized combined with a sol-gel process and a carbothermal process. TEOS and carbon black were used as starting materials for the silicon source and carbon source, respectively. SiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using a sol-gel technique (Stober process) combined with hydrolysis and condensation. The size of the particles could be controlled by manipulating the relative rates of the hydrolysis and condensation reactions of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) within the micro-emulsion. The average particle size and morphology of synthesized silicon dioxide was about 100nm and spherical, respectively. The average particles size and morphology of the used carbon black powders was about 20nm and spherical, respectively. The molar ratio of silicon dioxide and carbon black was fixed to 1:3 in the preparation of each combination. SiO2 and carbon black powders were mixed in ethanol and ball-milled for 12 h. After mixing, the slurries were dried at 80˚C in an oven. The dried powder mixtures were placed in alumina crucibles and synthesized in a tube furnace at 1400~1500˚C for 4 h with a heating rate of 10˚C/min under flowing Ar gas (160 cc/min) and furnace cooling down to room temperature. SiC nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, TEM, and SAED. The XRD results showed that high purity beta silicon carbide with excellent crystallinity was synthesized. TEM revealed that the powders are spherical shape nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 15 to 30 nm with a narrow distribution.

Fe doped TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared under high temperature and pressure conditions by mixture of metal nitrate solution and TiO2 sol. Fe doped TiO2 particles were reacted in the temperature range of 170 to 200˚C for 6 h. The microstructure and phase of the synthesized Fe doped TiO2 nanoparticles were studied by SEM (FE-SEM), TEM, and XRD. Thermal properties of the synthesized Fe doped TiO2 nanoparticles were studied by TG-DTA analysis. TEM and X-ray diffraction pattern shows that the synthesized Fe doped TiO2 nanoparticles were crystalline. The average size and distribution of the synthesized Fe doped TiO2 nanoparticles were about 10 nm and narrow, respectively. The average size of the synthesized Fe doped TiO2 nanoparticles increased as the reaction temperature increased. The overall reduction in weight of Fe doped TiO2 nanoparticles was about 16% up to ~700˚C; water of crystallization was dehydrated at 271˚C. The transition of Fe doped TiO2 nanoparticle phase from anatase to rutile occurred at almost 561˚C. The amount of rutile phase of the synthesized Fe doped TiO2 nanoparticles increased with decreasing Fe concentration. The effects of synthesis parameters, such as the concentration of the starting solution and the reaction temperature, are discussed.

Y2O3 nanomaterials have been widely used in transparent ceramics and luminescent devices. Recently, many studies have focused on controlling the size and morphology of Y2O3 in order to obtain better material performance. Y2O3 powders were prepared under a modified solvothermal condition involving precipitation from metal nitrates with aqueous ammonium hydroxide. The powders were obtained at temperatures at 250˚C after a 6h process. The properties of the Y2O3 powders were studied as a function of the solvent ratio. The synthesis of Y2O3 crystalline particles is possible under a modified solvothermal condition in a water/ethylene glycol solution. Solvothermal processing condition parameters including the pH, reaction temperature and solvent ratio, have significant effects on the formation, phase component, morphology and particle size of yttria powders. Ethylene glycol is a versatile, widely used, inexpensive, and safe capping organic molecule for uniform nanoparticles besides as a solvent. The characterization of the synthesized Y2O3 powders were studied by XRD, SEM (FE-SEM) and TG/DSC. An X-ray diffraction analysis of the synthesized powders indicated the formation of the Y2O3 cubic structure upon calcination. The average crystalline sizes and distribution of the synthesized Y2O3 powders was less than 2 um and broad, respectively. The synthesized particles were spherical and hexagonal in shape. The morphology of the synthesized powders changed with the water and ethylene glycol ratio. The average size and shape of the synthesized particles could be controlled by adjusting the solvent ratio.