Crystal structure and luminescent properties of nanocrystalline YAG and YAG:Nd synthesized by sol–gel method

► Sol–gel synthesis of nanocrystalline YAG and YAG:Nd. ► Characterization by XRD, SEM and luminescence techniques. ► Good luminescence performance and low radiation storage efficiency of the material. The work describes results of synthesis of undoped and Nd-doped YAG nanopowders by sol–gel method using different complexing agents (ethylene glycol and citric acid) and characterization of the material by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence and thermoluminescence techniques. Utilization of citrate sol–gel procedure using yttrium and aluminum nitrate nonahydrates as starting substances allowed to obtain highly stoichiometric and non-defected YAG and YAG:Nd nanocrystalline samples with good luminescence performance and low radiation storage efficiency.