Controlled pore growth for enhanced photoluminescence of ceramic phosphors

Ceramic phosphors have great potential as high-power color converters for solid-state lighting. The strive for developing increasingly bright and efficient phosphors stimulates research on scattering effects within phosphor media to enhance photoluminescence (PL). In the present study, we demonstrated a simple manner to improve PL properties of Ce:YAG transparent ceramic phosphors fabricated by spark plasma sintering. Controlled pore growth was achieved by post-sintering heat treatments, utilizing highpressured gas trapped within residual pores to induce swelling. After heat treatment, the emission intensity and efficiency increased substantially. This is a promising method for microstructure tailoring to enhance PL and realize more effective ceramic phosphors. (c) 2021 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates a simple and effective method to improve the photoluminescence properties of Ce:YAG transparent ceramic phosphors through post-sintering heat treatments, resulting in a substantial increase in emission intensity and efficiency. This promising approach allows for microstructure tailoring to enhance photoluminescence and achieve more effective ceramic phosphors.