Low-temperature solution synthesis and characterization of Ce-doped YAG nanoparticles

Monophasic Ce3+-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Ce:YAG) nanoparticles with high crystallinity and tunable grain size ranging from ∼19–30 nm were prepared by a modified co-precipitation process with a follow-up calcination treatment. For the synthesis, aluminum, yttrium, and cerium nitrates were used as starting materials, ammonium sulfate as dispersant, and a combination of ammonium bicarbonate and ammonia as precipitating agent. Influence of precipitation temperature, the pH value of precipitant solutions, aging period, calcination conditions, and Ce-doping level were investigated for controlling the purity, particle size, and photoluminescence performance of the Ce:YAG nanoparticles. High-purity YAG nanoparticles were prepared at pH=10.50–11.00 and calcination temperatures of 850–1100 °C with a calcination time of 3 h. With increasing Ce3+ concentration, the peak in the emission spectra of the obtained nanopowders shifted from 529 nm for the 0.67 wt.%-Ce:YAG to 544 nm for the 3.4 wt.%-Ce:YAG, while the strongest photoluminescence intensity was observed for the 1.3 wt.%-Ce:YAG nanoparticles.

XRD patterns of 0.67% (1), 1.3% (2), 2.0% (3), 2.7% (4), and 3.4% (5) Ce-doped YAG products synthesized by calcination at 1000 °C for 3 h (The inset shows magnified (420) peak positions, clearly indicating the successive shifting to low angles with increasing Ce-doping concentration) and Emission spectra of the YAG with different Ce3+ doping concentrations of 0.67% (1), 1.3% (2), 2.0% (3), 2.7% (4), and 3.4% (5) (All spectra were recorded at room temperature)Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide