Abstract
A novel ceramic synthesis technique, microwave-induced combustion process was investigated for the production of Y 3 Al 5 O 12 :Cr powders with improved physical and luminescence properties. This technique involves the reaction of aluminum nitrate (Al(NO 3 ) 3 ·9H 2 O), yttrium nitrate hexahydrate (Y(NO 3 ) 3 ·6H 2 O), chromium nitrate (Cr(NO 3 ) 3 ·6H 2 O), and carbohydrazide (CO(N 2 H 3 ) 2 ) at microwave-oven and the whole process took only 30 min. The powders of Y 3 Al 5 O 12 :Cr were further investigated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra (PL). The results showed that the formation temperature of YAG phase is significant low, compared to solid-state reaction route of constituent oxides. For luminescence property, the emission intensity of YAG:Cr powders synthesized by microwave-induced combustion increases gradually with Cr amount. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.