Ce3+-doped yttrium aluminum gamet (YAG:Ce) phosphors were synthesized by the four different precipitating processes, in which aluminum nitrate or aluminum ammonium sulfate was used as the aluminum source. Pure YAG:Ce powder can be obtained by using aluminum nitrate combine normal strike precipitation method as calcined at 850 degrees C for 2 h. The property of YAG powder is affected by the cation homogeneity of precursor powder. The product formed by aluminum nitrate combine normal strike precipitation method has the highest emission peak at 535 nm after excitation at 470 nm. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.