Single and multicomponent garnets nanoparticles - Synthesis and luminescence

Luminescent nanopowders of single (Y3Al5O12:Ce3+) and multicomponent (Lu2Gd1Al5O12:Ce3+) garnets were synthesized by the solvothermal method in a high pressure autoclave. The synthesis conditions were optimized with respect to morphological and photoluminescence properties. Optimized conditions allow to synthesize well-dispersed nanoparticles with a size of some 30 nm. Concentration quenching of the Ce3+ emission as well as luminescence quenching by surface states of nanoparticles were found and discussed.