Characterization and Luminescence Properties of YAG: Ce3+ Phosphors by Molten Salt Synthesis

The Y2.9Ce0.1Al5O12 (YAG: Ce3+) phosphors were successfully prepared via molten salt synthesis (MSS) method using the eutectic mixtures of NaNO2KNO2 or NaClKCl as the flux. Using NaClKCl as the flux, Y3Al5O12 phase is formed above 1000 degrees C, and the as-prepared YAG: Ce3+ phosphor with 2 similar to mu m average particle size has good emission and excitation spectra. Using NaNO2KNO2 as the flux, Y3Al5O12 phase can be formed at a temperature as low as 400 degrees C, but the as-prepared YAG: Ce3+ phosphor with 200 similar to nm average particle size do not have obvious emission and excitation spectra, and after being annealed at 1100 degrees C, the powder also has 200 similar to nm average particle size but has stronger emission and excitation spectra. Compared with the commercial YAG: Ce3+ phosphor, the emission intensity of the phosphor prepared by MSS using NaNO2KNO2 as the flux followed by calcination is a little low, but the latter has a smaller particle size, which will reduce the amount of phosphors utilized in white light-emitting diodes.