I. V. Tananaev Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Rare Elements and Mineral Raw Materials, Kola Scientific Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences

G. B. Kunshina, Senior Researcher, e-mail: Kunshina@chemy.kolasc.net.ru
S. V. Drogobuzhskaya, Senior Researcher
O. G. Gromov, Head of Department, Senior Researcher

The article deals with the study of high-purity ZnO nanodispersed powders synthesis doped with Ga³⁺ and In³⁺ for the production of optical ceramics. The synthesis includes two stages: synthesis of the zinc oxalate or hydroxocarbonate precursor and its thermal decomposition at various temperatures. The particle size, morphology, and purity of powders obtained were determined. The quadrupole ELAN 9000 DRC-e system was used for mass spectrometry analysis of dopants content, uniformity of their distribution and purity assessment of the resulting powders. The morphology of ZnO particles was investigated using of scanning electronic microscopy (microscope SEM LEO-420). It is established that after sintering at 500 оC of the oxalate precursor ZnC₂O₄·2H₂O are formed the layered ZnO conglomerates generated by weak-connected primary particles with the size of about 100 nm. After sintering of hydroxocarbonate precursor Zn₅(OH)₆(CO₃)₂ at 500 ^оС are obtained ZnO nanopowders with particles of the quasispherical form less than 100 nm in size, that does possible their use for manufacturing of optical ceramics by a method of hot pressing.

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