Effect of Amorphous Si₃N₄ Nanoparticles on the Infrared Transmittance of α-Al₂O₃
Introduction and Objectives: This study aims to enhance the optical properties of polycrystalline alumina by controlling grain growth and minimizing structural defects. To achieve this, the influence of amorphous silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) nanoparticles as a reinforcing agent, in conjunction with MgO a...
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Isfahan University of Technology
2026-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Advanced Materials in Engineering |
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| Online Access: | https://jame.iut.ac.ir/article_3590_abec61a6b45478ea7ebc4ca73be74361.pdf |
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| author | Mahdi Darabi Ehsan Mohammad Sharifi Reza Vafaie Akbar Eshaghi Mohammad Reza Loghman Estraki |
| author_facet | Mahdi Darabi Ehsan Mohammad Sharifi Reza Vafaie Akbar Eshaghi Mohammad Reza Loghman Estraki |
| author_sort | Mahdi Darabi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction and Objectives: This study aims to enhance the optical properties of polycrystalline alumina by controlling grain growth and minimizing structural defects. To achieve this, the influence of amorphous silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) nanoparticles as a reinforcing agent, in conjunction with MgO and La₂O₃ as sintering aids, on the infrared transmittance of PA was investigated. Furthermore, the role of the dispersing agent in improving slurry homogeneity and particle distribution was evaluated.Materials and Methods: The composite materials were synthesized via a chemical precipitation process, wherein alumina powder was mixed with Si3N4 nanoparticles, magnesium nitrate, lanthanum nitrate, and a dispersing agent in an aqueous solution.Ultrasonic waves were employed to enhance particle dispersion, and the slurry pH was adjusted to 10 to stabilize the suspension.Subsequent to powder preparation, spark plasma sintering was utilized to achieve densification and control grain growth. The microstructural and optical characteristics of the samples were then analyzed using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy.Results: The findings indicated that the incorporation of Si3N4 nanoparticles (0.1 wt%) and a dispersing agent (2 wt%) led to an enhancement in infrared transmittance, with a maximum achieved of 85% within the 5–6 µm wavelength range. This observation was corroborated by microscopic analysis, which confirmed a reduction in grain size and an improvement in microstructural uniformity. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction analysis substantiated the preservation of the crystalline structure of alumina across all samples.Conclusion: The optimization of the sintering process, in conjunction with the incorporation of silicon nitride nanoparticles, facilitates the fabrication of transparent alumina, which exhibits augmented optical properties. These materials hold considerable promise for applications in infrared-sensitive systems, including missile guidance and optical sensor technologies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1da1d86d55d74b9ababfecba5c587d6e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2251-600X 2423-5733 |
| language | fas |
| publishDate | 2026-03-01 |
| publisher | Isfahan University of Technology |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Advanced Materials in Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-1da1d86d55d74b9ababfecba5c587d6e2025-08-20T03:53:23ZfasIsfahan University of TechnologyJournal of Advanced Materials in Engineering2251-600X2423-57332026-03-01442799210.47176/jame.44.2.11023590Effect of Amorphous Si₃N₄ Nanoparticles on the Infrared Transmittance of α-Al₂O₃Mahdi Darabi0Ehsan Mohammad Sharifi1Reza Vafaie2Akbar Eshaghi3Mohammad Reza Loghman Estraki4Department of Materials Engineering, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Isfahan, IranDepartment of Materials Engineering, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Isfahan, IranDepartment of Materials Engineering, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Isfahan, IranDepartment of Materials Engineering, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Isfahan, IranDepartment of Materials Engineering, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Isfahan, IranIntroduction and Objectives: This study aims to enhance the optical properties of polycrystalline alumina by controlling grain growth and minimizing structural defects. To achieve this, the influence of amorphous silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) nanoparticles as a reinforcing agent, in conjunction with MgO and La₂O₃ as sintering aids, on the infrared transmittance of PA was investigated. Furthermore, the role of the dispersing agent in improving slurry homogeneity and particle distribution was evaluated.Materials and Methods: The composite materials were synthesized via a chemical precipitation process, wherein alumina powder was mixed with Si3N4 nanoparticles, magnesium nitrate, lanthanum nitrate, and a dispersing agent in an aqueous solution.Ultrasonic waves were employed to enhance particle dispersion, and the slurry pH was adjusted to 10 to stabilize the suspension.Subsequent to powder preparation, spark plasma sintering was utilized to achieve densification and control grain growth. The microstructural and optical characteristics of the samples were then analyzed using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy.Results: The findings indicated that the incorporation of Si3N4 nanoparticles (0.1 wt%) and a dispersing agent (2 wt%) led to an enhancement in infrared transmittance, with a maximum achieved of 85% within the 5–6 µm wavelength range. This observation was corroborated by microscopic analysis, which confirmed a reduction in grain size and an improvement in microstructural uniformity. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction analysis substantiated the preservation of the crystalline structure of alumina across all samples.Conclusion: The optimization of the sintering process, in conjunction with the incorporation of silicon nitride nanoparticles, facilitates the fabrication of transparent alumina, which exhibits augmented optical properties. These materials hold considerable promise for applications in infrared-sensitive systems, including missile guidance and optical sensor technologies.https://jame.iut.ac.ir/article_3590_abec61a6b45478ea7ebc4ca73be74361.pdfalpha aluminaamorphous silicon nitride nanoparticlesdispersing agent dolapix ce64spark plasma sinteringinfrared radiation |
| spellingShingle | Mahdi Darabi Ehsan Mohammad Sharifi Reza Vafaie Akbar Eshaghi Mohammad Reza Loghman Estraki Effect of Amorphous Si₃N₄ Nanoparticles on the Infrared Transmittance of α-Al₂O₃ Journal of Advanced Materials in Engineering alpha alumina amorphous silicon nitride nanoparticles dispersing agent dolapix ce64 spark plasma sintering infrared radiation |
| title | Effect of Amorphous Si₃N₄ Nanoparticles on the Infrared Transmittance of α-Al₂O₃ |
| title_full | Effect of Amorphous Si₃N₄ Nanoparticles on the Infrared Transmittance of α-Al₂O₃ |
| title_fullStr | Effect of Amorphous Si₃N₄ Nanoparticles on the Infrared Transmittance of α-Al₂O₃ |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of Amorphous Si₃N₄ Nanoparticles on the Infrared Transmittance of α-Al₂O₃ |
| title_short | Effect of Amorphous Si₃N₄ Nanoparticles on the Infrared Transmittance of α-Al₂O₃ |
| title_sort | effect of amorphous si₃n₄ nanoparticles on the infrared transmittance of α al₂o₃ |
| topic | alpha alumina amorphous silicon nitride nanoparticles dispersing agent dolapix ce64 spark plasma sintering infrared radiation |
| url | https://jame.iut.ac.ir/article_3590_abec61a6b45478ea7ebc4ca73be74361.pdf |
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