Low temperature synthesis and luminescence properties of YAG: Eu nanopowders prepared by modified sol-gel method

Europium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet nanopowders were synthesized through an aqueous sol-gel method. The structure, morphology and luminescence spectra were investigated by using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy measurements. The results show that YAG: Eu with an average particle size of 50 nm is formed. The activation energy of YAG: Eu nanocrystallite growth during calcination is 24.1 kJ/mol. The crystalline YAG: Eu nanopowders show an orange-red emission with 5D0–7F1 as the most prominent group.