Flux-grown Y3Al5O12:Ce3+ phosphors with improved crystallinity and dispersibility

Y3Al5O12:Ce3+ (YAG:Ce3+) phosphors were prepared via molten salt synthesis (MSS) using Y2O3, CeO2 and γ-/α-Al2O3 as the starting materials and a eutectic mixture of NaCl–KCl–LiF as the flux. The phase and crystallinity of the prepared samples, as determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, indicated the formation of a pure cubic garnet phase when calcined at 1200 °C for 5 h. Further investigation of the effects of calcination temperature and flux concentration on the crystallinity, microstructure, dispersibility, and luminescent properties of YAG:Ce3+ phosphors revealed that the emission intensity of phosphors prepared using a γ-Al2O3 precursor is stronger than that of phosphors obtained using a α-Al2O3 precursor.