Preparation and characterization of a novel nanostructured Yb₂Si₂O₇ feedstock used for plasma-sprayed environmental barrier coatings

In this work, the preparation process of a novel nanostructured Yb₂Si₂O₇ feedstock for plasma-sprayed environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) was explored. Results show that sintering parameter and mass ratio between Yb₂O₃ and SiO₂ significantly affect the solid-state reaction process for the synthesis of Yb₂Si₂O₇ feedstocks. The increase of SiO₂/Yb₂O₃ ratio in the spray-dried granules can reduce the average grain size of β-Yb₂Si₂O₇ phase and the second phase content of the sintered powder. Nanostructured Yb₂Si₂O₇ feedstocks with high content of β-Yb₂Si₂O₇ phase and good sprayability were successfully obtained after plasma treatment. The nanostructured Yb₂Si₂O₇ coatings can be gained using as-synthesized feedstocks via plasma spraying, which verifies the applicability of nanostructured Yb₂Si₂O₇ feedstocks.