Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Low-Dimensional Layered Y₂O₃ Nanosheets by a Rapid Heating Route

Low-dimensional yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃) nanostructures have garnered significant research interest due to their intriguing properties arising from the dimensional effect and the modulation of the band structure. However, the simple preparation of Y₂O₃ nanosheets is rarely investigated due to the inherent limitations posed by the counterpart bulk cubic or monoclinic crystal structure. Herein, the low-dimensional layered Y₂O₃ nanosheets are prepared by a facile route of rapid heating followed by centrifugation, in which its corresponding hydrous-chloride compound is used as the sole reagent. The formation stages of layered Y₂O₃ nanosheets and corresponding mechanisms are elucidated in detail. The x-ray diffraction results confirm that the intermediate product after rapid heating is yttrium oxychloride (YOCl), which converts to the single-phase Y₂O₃ with a 2D layered phase after centrifugation. In addition, the obtained Y₂O₃ nanosheets possess a direct optical bandgap of 5.49 eV, and thus may hold promise for use in electronic applications. This research provides a facile and low-cost method for the preparation of other low-dimensional nanosheets with similar structures.