First La2O2S infrared transparent ceramics

Lanthanum oxysulfide (La2O2S) was investigated as infrared transparent ceramic to benefit from stronger chemical bonds and superior mechanical performances to that of non-oxide benchmark infrared materials. La2O2S ceramics were processed by hot-pressing powders prepared by combustion synthesis followed by a sul-furization treatment. Powders and ceramics were characterised through various techniques (XRD, UV-Vis-IR spectroscopy, particle size analysis, SEM, Impulse Excitation Technique, microhardness and fracture toughness tests) to assess their purity, study their microstructure and determine their optical and mechanical properties. The study reports the first IR transmission spectra, Poisson's ratio, Young's and shear moduli and fracture toughness values of La2O2S polycrystalline ceramics. The ceramics showed transparency in the 2-11 mu m range and their mechanical performances were all superior to that of commercial infrared ceramics. The best trans-mission (89% of the theoretical transmission) was measured at 7.3 mu m for 1 mm-thick ceramics hot-pressed at 1200-1250 degrees C.