Solid solubility and photoluminescence of Y3Al5O12:Ce3+ prepared by using (Y1-xCex)2O3 as precursor

Trivalent cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG: Ce-3 vertical bar ) phosphors are synthesized by solid-state reaction method through using (Y1-xCex)(2)O-3 solid solutions as precursors. Solid solubility limits of Ce3+ replacing Y3+ in Y2O3 and YAG are determined to be 40% and 7.5%, respectively, based on the relationship between the lattice parameter and chemical composition. Using (Y1-xCex)(2)O-3 as precursors we synthesize YAG: Ce3+ single phase at 1450 C and N-2 atmosphere. However, under the same conditions using CeO2 there exists a second phase YAlO3 as impurity. The photoluminescence intensity of YAG: Ce3+ incrases monotonically with the increase of Ce concentration until it reaches a maximum at solid solubility limits of Ce3+ in YAG.