Facile preparation of Y2.9Ce0.1Al5O12 nano-phosphors without photobleaching behavior

Y2.9Ce0.1Al5O12 (YAG:Ce3+) phosphors with 80±5 nm are successfully prepared by hydrothermal processing followed by the post annealing process in Ar/15%H2 atmosphere. The emission intensity of the as-prepared YAG:Ce3+ nano-phosphor is as high as with that of the ∼15 μm YAG:Ce3+ commercial phosphor. Meanwhile, the YAG:Ce3+ nano-phosphors prepared in both Ar/15%H2 and air atmosphere show same stable emission intensity under continuous irradiation of blue excitation light, although this photobleaching behavior is easily observed for YAG:Ce3+ nano-phosphors in the literatures. Photobleaching is probably suppressed by complete crystallinity due to the post annealing process and solid morphology due to the hydrothermal process in the present work.

► Emission intensity of the as-prepared YAG:Ce3+ nano-phosphor is as high as with that of the commercial phosphor.
► YAG:Ce3+ nano-phosphors do not show the photobleaching behavior.
► Photobleaching is suppressed due to the post annealing process and the hydrothermal process.