Phase evolution in Ce-doped yttrium–aluminum-based particles derived from aerosol

The common nitrates precursor solution leading to the Y3Al5O12:Ce3+ (YAG:Ce) composition with 2 at.% of cerium, is ultrasonically atomised and introduced into the tubular flow reactor at 320 °C. Having in mind that extremely high heating rates and short residence time are associated with spray pyrolysis, the low temperature regime is used for aerosol decomposition for the production of segregation-free precursor powder that is additionally heated at 900 and 1000 °C (2–6 h) for the purpose to determine the phase evolution. Formation of uniform and submicron-sized spherical particles with nano-clustered inner structure is proved by different analysing techniques (X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy). The effect of processing parameters and post-annealing treatment is discussed from the viewpoint of the targeted garnet phase formation.