Preparation of Y3Fe5O12/SiO2 nanocomposites by sol-gel method Influence ofmodifiers

This paper aims to characterise the phase relations in the system Y3Fe5O12/ SiO2 prepared by sol-gel method. Samples were characterised by X-ray diffra ction, magnetic measurements and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The final phase co mposition strongly depended on preparation conditions in the early stages o f preparation. The samples treated in a vacuum, which were subsequently hea ted up to 1000 degreesC, did not contain hematite (the most stable phase at higher temperatures) for the case of gels modified by formamide and only a small amount in the case without formamide. The samples heated in air disp layed high content of hematite. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.