Preparation and characterization of dysprosium (Dy) ultrafine nanocrystalline structures.

By combining the inert-gas condensation with the SPS technology in an entirely closed system with the oxygen concentration below 0.5 ppm, the pure Dy bulk with the ultrafine nanocrystalline structure has been prepared. Thus a novel and efficient route of preparing nano rare-earth metals, as well as metallic nanomaterials that are highly reactive in the air, is proposed.