Phase transformation process of Tb2O3 at elevated temperature.

Phase transformation process of magneto-optical material Tb 2 O 3 at elevated temperature has been investigated in different atmosphere. When heating in air, Tb 2 O 3 is firstly oxidized to TbO 1.81 at 500 °C. Finally, TbO 1.81 is respectively deoxidized to TbO 1.714 at 600 °C and Tb 2 O 3 at 988 °C. It is remarkable that the most stable phase at room temperature is not Tb 2 O 3 , but TbO 1.81. While sintering in vacuum, the reversible phase transition of Tb 2 O 3 above 1600 °C makes Tb 2 O 3 crack from inside to outside. These findings provide a deep understanding of controlling and avoiding the phase transformations of Tb 2 O 3 , which has great guiding significance to preparing Tb 2 O 3 materials. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]