Molten salt synthesis of YAG:Ce3+ phosphors from oxide raw materials

In this study, we used oxides (Y2O3, CeO2 and Al2O3) as the raw materials to fabricate YAG:Ce3+ phosphors by a molten salt synthesis (MSS) method. The formation of YAG phase strongly depends on the alumina source and firing temperature. Microstructure characterization indicates that “dissolution-precipitation” mechanism dominates the formation process of YAG in the alkali chlorides melt. Thus, highly active nano-Al2O3 starting powders promote their solution in the melt and guarantee a solute stoichiometric of YAG phase rather than other Y–Al–O compounds. The as-prepared YAG:Ce3+ phosphors show typical yellow emission peaked at 535 nm under excitation of 460 nm blue light, suggesting that MSS could be a promising method for the preparation of phosphor powders even though oxide raw materials are used.