Synthesis and Characterization of Ce-Doped Y3Al5O12 (YAG:Ce) Nanopowders Used for Solid-State Lighting

Nano-Ce-doped Y3Al5O12 (YAG:Ce) powders were synthesized by using a sol-gel low temperature combustion method, followed by thermal annealing. The annealing temperature for enriching nanoparticles was optimized and found to be 1000 degrees C. The process for enriching uniform nanoparticles of YAG:Ce powder was carried out by using the nanosteam technique (NST). The nanoparticles obtained from this NST treatment had a size in the range of 9-20 nm. Measurements of the photoluminescence spectra of the dispersed YAG:Ce nanoparticles solutions showed a blue shift in the photoemission with a value of ca. 10 nm in the green region. WLEDs made from the blue LED chip coated with the nano-YAG:Ce + MEH-PPV composite epoxy exhibit white light with a broad band luminescent spectrum and a high color rending index (CRI). The photoluminescence spectra of the YAG:Ce nanoparticles showed a potential application of the prepared nanostructured YAG:Ce phosphor not only in energy-efficient solid-state lighting, but also in optoelectronic devices, including organic composite solar cells. In addition, it is suggested that NST can be applied for the enrichment of uniform inorganic nanoparticles.