Characterization and luminescence properties of YAG: Ce ³⁺ phosphors by molten salt synthesis

The Y _2.9Ce _0.1Al ₅O ₁₂ (YAG: Ce ³⁺) phosphors were successfully prepared via molten salt synthesis (MSS) method using the eutectic mixtures of NaNO ₂-KNO ₂ or NaCl-KCl as the flux. Using NaCl-KCl as the flux, Y ₃Al ₅O ₁₂ phase is formed above 1000°C, and the as-prepared YAG: Ce ³⁺ phosphor with 2 μm average particle size has good emission and excitation spectra. Using NaNO ₂-KNO ₂ as the flux, Y ₃Al ₅O ₁₂ phase can be formed at a temperature as low as 400°C, but the as-prepared YAG: Ce ³⁺ phosphor with 200 nm average particle size do not have obvious emission and excitation spectra, and after being annealed at 1100°C, the powder also has 200 nm average particle size but has stronger emission and excitation spectra. Compared with the commercial YAG: Ce ³⁺ phosphor, the emission intensity of the phosphor prepared by MSS using NaNO ₂-KNO ₂ 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.