Synthesis and Characterization of Lamellar Nanostructured Yttrium Films Using Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Templates

Abstract

The lamellar nanostructured yttrium films on α-Al2O3 substrates were successfully synthesized by electroless deposition using the lyotropic liquid crystalline templating strategy. The reaction of hydrazine hydrate and Y3+ dissolved within the aqueous domains of the lyotropic liquid crystalline phase produced the nanostructured yttrium films. The low-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicated that the as-resulted films possessed lamellar regular array of nanochannels with periodicity of 6 nm. With well-defined nanochannels and higher surface areas, the nanostructured films may find applications in the field of electronic materials.

Electroless Metallization of the Elements: Survey and Progress

“…Although V metal deposition has not been reported, EL deposition of its oxides using aqueous baths is known. , Within the elements of Groups 3–5, only two instances of deposition using aqueous baths have been reported to our knowledge to date. Metallic Y has been deposited onto alumina using an aqueous N 2 H 4 ·H 2 O bath. In addition, recent work by Falola and Suni , has demonstrated galvanic deposition of compact (90 atom %) Ti films onto an Al alloy 6061 substrate using an acidic aqueous fluoride solution.…”

“…Apart from the "rare earth", yttrium, 202 there are no baths reported for galvanic or direct EL deposition of pure lanthanide metals. However, depositions of some oxides, alloys with transition metals, and composites have been described (vide inf ra).…”

“…Scandium and Yttrium. Although no EL baths are available for deposition of scandium, Guo et al 202 report that the reaction of hydrazine hydrate (N 2 H 4 • H 2 O) with Y III dissolved within the aqueous domains of a lyotropic liquid crystalline phase produces nanostructured yttrium films on an Al 2 O 3 surface. The Y metal films possess a lamellar regular array of nanochannels with periodicity of ∼6 nm as templated by the liquid crystal domains.…”