Solid solubility and photoluminescence of Y 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce 3= prepared by using (Y 1− x Ce x ) 2 O 3 as precursor

Trivalent cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG:Ce 3= ) phosphors are synthesized by solid-state reaction method through using (Y 1− x Ce x ) 2 O 3 solid solutions as precursors. Solid solubility limits of Ce 3= replacing Y 3= in Y 2 O 3 and YAG are determined to be 40% and 7.5%, respectively, based on the relationship between the lattice parameter and chemical composition. Using (Y 1− x Ce x ) 2 O 3 as precursors we synthesize YAG:Ce 3= single phase at 1450 °C and N 2 atmosphere. However, under the same conditions using CeO 2 there exists a second phase YAlO 3 as impurity. The photoluminescence intensity of YAG:Ce 3= increases monotonically with the increase of Ce concentration until it reaches a maximum at solid solubility limits of Ce 3= in YAG.