Molten salt synthesis, characterization and luminescence of Tb3−xCexAl5O12 (TAG:Ce) phosphors

The Tb3−xCexAl5O12 (TAG:Ce) phosphors with various cerium doped concentrations were successfully prepared via molten salt (MS) synthesis method using the eutectic mixtures of NaNO2-KNO2 as the flux. Tb3Al5O12 phase can be formed at a temperature as low as 450 °C, but the as-prepared TAG:Ce phosphor with a 250 nm average particle size do not have noticeable emission and excitation spectra. However, after being annealed in a reducing atmosphere at 1100 °C, the phosphor was found to have the same particle size, and more importantly, stronger emission and excitation spectra as well. The results show that the modified MS method provides a feasible approach to produce TAG:Ce phosphor for optoelectronic applications.