Surface modification of Y3Al5O12:Ce3+ phosphor by hydrofluoric acid wet etching

The surface of Y3Al5O12:Ce3+ phosphor prepared by solid-state reaction was modified by hydrofluoric acid wet etching. The SEM pictures show that the edge-angles-rich surface of the phosphor particles becomes smooth and the XRD spectra show that the surface crystallinity is improved after modification for more than 3 h. Consequently, the photoluminescence emission from phosphor particles with smooth surface presents a higher quantum yield (increased by 5.5%) than that without modification, and a lower backscattering light by the smoothed phosphor particles is also found, which suggests better surface characteristics of light absorption, transparency and crystallinity.

► HF wet etching way is introduced to modify the YAG phosphor surface for the first time. ► The surface with riched edge angles has become smooth. ► The photoluminescence emission intensity is increased by 5.5%. ► The backscattering light intensity is obviously decreased. ► The wet etching method with HF is appropriate for mass process.