Preparation of Y3Al5O12:Ce powders by microwave-induced combustion process and their luminescent properties

A novel ceramic synthesis technique, microwave-induced combustion process was investigated for the production of Y3Al5O12:Ce powders with improved physical and luminescence properties. This technique involves the reaction of aluminum nitrate (Al(NO3)3·9H2O), yttrium nitrate hexahydrate (Y(NO3)3·6H2O), cerium nitrate (Ce(NO3)3·6H2O), and urea (CO(NH2)2) at microwave-oven and the whole process took only 30 min. The powders of Y3Al5O12:Ce were further investigated by X-ray difrractometer (XRD), differential thermal inalyzer/thermogravimeter (DTA/TG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra (PL). The results showed that the formation temperature of YAG phase is significant low, compared to solid-state reaction route of constituent oxides. For luminescence property, the emission intensity of YAG:Ce powders synthesized by microwave-induced combustion increases steadily with increasing annealing temperature from 950 to 1150 °C.