Low temperature synthesis of YAG:Eu spheroidal monocrystalline submicron-sized particles

Yttrium aluminum garnet, Y3Al5O12, (YAG), doped with Eu (0-4%) was synthesized reacting appropriate metal nitrates in NaNO2-KNO2 eutectic mixture. Pure cubic garnet phase was formed upon heating for a few hours at temperature as low as 470 degrees C. The particle sizes of the powders were mostly in the range of 200-300 nm, but a small fraction of material crystallized in particles of about 20-40 nm. Selected area electron diffraction patterns proved that the larger particles are monocrystalline. Excitation and emission spectra of the Eu-doped powders are characteristic for Eu3+ in an oxide host. The most intense luminescence lines are located around 590 rim. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.