Synthesis of ultrafine spherical YAG:Eu phosphors by MOCVD

Ultrafine Europium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG:Eu3+) phosphor powders, with uniform diameters of about 1 mum, have been prepared by metallorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The metal-organic precursors have been characterized by thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimeter (TG-DSC). The phosphor powders have been identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and photoluminescence measurements. It shows that the YAG:Eu3+ particles annealed at 1473 K for 3 h are nonaggregated and spherical, the diameter of particles is in the range of 1-2 mum. Phase-pure YAG which is of spherical shaped particles have been obtained and observed good luminescence property. Three major emission peaks were observed at 589, 594, and 607 nm.