Photoluminescence of Y3(Al, Ga)5O12:Ce3+ Nanoparticles by a Reverse Micelle Process

Trivalent cerium-ion-doped $Y_3(Al,\;Ga)_5O_{12}$ nanoparticle phosphor nanoparticles were synthesized using the reverse micelle process. The Ce doped $Y_3(Al,\;Ga)_5O_{12}$ particles were obtained from nitrate solutions dispersed in the nanosized aqueous domains of a micro emulsion consisting of cyclohexane as the oil phase and poly(oxyethylene) nonylphenyl ether (Igepal CO-520) as the non-ionic surfactant. The crystallinity, morphology, and thermal properties of the synthesized $Y_3(Al,\;Ga)_5O_{12}:Ce^{3+}$ powders were characterized by thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy. The crystallinity, morphology, and chemical states of the ions were characterized; the photo-physical properties were studied by taking absorption, excitation, and emission spectra for various concentrations of cerium. The photo physical properties of the synthesized $Y_3(Al,\;Ga)_5O_{12}:Ce^{3+}$ powders were studied by taking the excitation and emission spectra for various concentrations of cerium. The average particle size of the synthesized YAG powders was below $1{\mu}m$. Excitation spectra of the $Y_3Al_5O_{12}$ and $Y_3Al_{3.97}Ga_{1.03}O_{12}$ samples were 485 nm and 475 nm, respectively. The emission spectra of the $Y_3Al_5O_{12}$ and $Y_3Al_{3.97}Ga_{1.03}O_{12}$ were around 560 nm and 545 nm, respectively. $Y_3(Al,\;Ga)_5O_{12}:Ce^{3+}$ is a red-emitting phosphor; it has a high efficiency for operation under near UV excitation, and may be a promising candidate for photonic applications.