Synthesis study of Lu₃Al₅O₁₂(Ce) nanoscaled powder by co-precipitation

Ce³⁺-doped Lutetium aluminum garnet Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ phosphors were prepared by an anti co-precipitation from mixing solution of lutetium, aluminum and cerium nitrates using the ammonium hydrogen carbonate as precipitate, followed by the calcination at low temperatures. TG-DTA, FTIR, XRD, TEM and Photoluminescence were used to characterize the as-prepared phosphors. The calcining temperature has distinctly influence on the particle size and the photoluminescence of the prepared Lu₃Al₅O₁₂(Ce) powders. The resulted Lu₃Al₅O₁₂(Ce) powder calcined at 1000°C for 2 h has an average particle size of 30 nm. And its photoluminescence is the strongest among the powders calcined in the range from 850°C to 1200°C.