YAG:Ce phosphor particles prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

Spray pyrolysis was applied to the preparation of fine YAC:Ce phosphor particles. The characteristics of particles such as crystallinity, morphology, and photoluminescence were investigated. Phase-pure YAC:Ce particles with high crystallinity were obtained after annealing at lower temperatures than those of conventional preparation processes. The mean size of the particles increased from 0.46 to 1.2 mu m when the overall solution concentrations were changed from 0.03 to 1 mol/L, The YAG:Ce particles annealed at 1300 degrees C were nonaggregated and spherical. The particles absorbed excitation energy in the range 403-510 nm, and the maximum excitation wavelength was near 470 nm. The YAG:Ce particles showed broad emission peaks in the range 480-650 nm and had maximum intensity at 528 nm. The photoluminescence intensity of the particles increased monotonically with increasing annealing temperature and showed the maximum value at 1 at% Ce, (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.