The use of yttrium (III) isopropoxide to improve thermal conductivity of polycrystalline aluminum nitride (AlN) ceramics

Instead of Y2O3 powders, yittrium isopropoxide (YIP) was used as a sintering additive to sinter high thermal conductivity polycrystalline aluminum nitride (AlN). The reasons for using sintering additive in sol-gel form are due to the fact that the particle sizes are uniform in the nano scale and also they promote a better coating of AlN grains, being more effective during sintering process. The binder burn out was carried in two different atmospheres, N2 (N2 BBO) and air (air BBO). The thermal conductivity of dense polycrystalline aluminum nitride samples with the addition of Y2O3 (YIP formulation) ranging from 1.0 to 10.0 wt% with N2 BBO and air BBO was measured by the laser-flash technique. The results of measured thermal conductivity exhibited higher values than those reported for samples of same yttria formulation (Y2O3 powder) and sintered conditions.