Enhanced optical properties of YAG:Ce yellow phosphor by modification with gold nanoparticles

Abstract

In this paper methods of synthesis and characterization of cerium doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG:Ce) and the improvement of properties by in situ modification using gold nanoparticles are presented. YAG:Ce phosphor was obtained by cations co-precipitation followed by thermal treatment at 1000 °C, while for the development of the Au-YAG:Ce nanocomposites, the Turkevich method was used. The quality of the phosphor particles and composite has been structurally, morphologically and optically studied. It has been emphasized the obtaining of high purity phosphor and maintenance of the YAG:Ce garnet structure after modifying the phosphor surface with gold nanoparticles. Also, the use of gold nanoparticles has led to improvements in optical and morphological properties as a result of lowering the agglomeration trend. Improvement of optical properties makes possible the use of Au-YAG:Ce composite thus developing low energy light sources and with high performance.