Preparation of Y3Al5O12:Cr 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:Cr 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), chromium nitrate (Cr(NO3)3·6H2O), and carbohydrazide (CO(N2H3)2) at microwave-oven and the whole process took only 30 min. The powders of Y3Al5O12:Cr were further investigated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), 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:Cr powders synthesized by microwave-induced combustion increases gradually with Cr amount.