CO2 laser post-treatment of sol-gel-derived Y3Al5O12:Ce phosphor ceramic powders

Cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce, YAG:Ce) was prepared using a sol-gel method and then fired for CO₂ laser post-treatments. Phase transformations and formation of impurities were not observed in YAG:Ce after CO₂ laser sintering. The shift of the diffraction peak and the appearance of another Raman peak indicate a more homogeneous distribution of Ce activators and enhanced crystallinity in laser-sintered YAG hosts. Larger spheres (100–200 μm) with tiny crystallites (<10 μm) were observed on the smoother surface in the laser-sintered YAG:Ce, unlike the irregular, porous, and layered powders in the sol-gel-derived YAG:Ce (1–100 μm). Photoluminescence (PL) measurements revealed an emission increase of 180% and a red shift of the emission peak for the laser-sintered YAG:Ce powders compared with the sol-gel-derived powders. Both have comparable thermal PL quenching behavior; however, the YAG:Ce powders with CO₂ laser treatment exhibited a PL efficiency improvement of approximately 4%.     

Nanosized barium ferrite powders prepared by spray pyrolysis from citric acid solution

Highly crystalline nanosized barium ferrite (BaFe₁₂O₁₉) powders were prepared by spray pyrolysis from a spray solution containing a high concentration of the metal components. The precursor powders obtained from the spray solution containing citric acid were amorphous with a porous and hollow structure. Purely crystalline and fine BaFe₁₂O₁₉ powders were obtained after post-treatment between 700 and 1000 °C and subsequent mechanical grinding in an agate mortar. The mean sizes of the powders post-treated at 700 and 1000 °C were 125 and 550 nm, respectively. The specific magnetization of the powders prepared from the spray solution containing citric acid was 57 emu/g.     

Characteristics of BaNd2Ti5O14 powders directly prepared by high-temperature spray pyrolysis

BaNd₂Ti₅O₁₄ powders were directly prepared by high-temperature spray pyrolysis. The powders prepared at temperatures of 1300 and 1500 °C exhibited a pure BaNd₂Ti₅O₁₄ phase. The powders prepared at 1300 °C were spherical in shape. However, the powders prepared at 1500 °C showed non-spherical shapes. The BaNd₂Ti₅O₁₄ powders had a composition similar to that of the spray solution. The mean sizes of the BaNd₂Ti₅O₁₄ powders increased from 0.23 to 0.60 μm when the concentration of the spray solution was increased from 0.01 to 0.2 M. At a sintering temperature of 1100 °C, bridge-like structures were formed between the powders. Pellets sintered at 1300 °C exhibited a dense structure comprising rod-like crystals.     

One-step combustion synthesis of Tb3Al5O12:Ce phosphor

A simple, one-step, and fast method based on exothermic reactions is described for synthesis of Tb₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce phosphor. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were fabricated by depositing this phosphor on a blue chip. Photoluminescence and LED emission are compared with respective results for well-known YAG:Ce phosphor. A significant improvement in color rendering index (CRI) attributed to the red shift of Ce³⁺ emission was observed. Persistent emission is also reported for the first time in the Tb₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce annealed in reducing atmosphere. It well correlates with Ce³⁺ emission and a peak around 80°C in the thermoluminescence glow. The long-lasting emission was associated with host-related electron traps.     

The synthesis and sintering behaviour of BaZr0.9Y0.1O3−δ powders prepared by spray pyrolysis

Powders of BaZr_0.9Y_0.1O_3?δ (BZY10) were synthesised by spray pyrolysis from nitrate salt solutions for the first time. Differences in the powders produced were explored when the concentration of solution, atomisation frequency, aerosol flow rate and furnace temperature were varied. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) was used to determine that powders produced using a furnace temperature of 800 °C were of single phase. Powder that was produced using a higher atomisation frequency and a lower salt solution concentration resulted in a favourable particle size distribution and morphology for sintering. A density of approximately 91% of the theoretical density (TD) was achieved by sintering at 1500 °C for 1 h in flowing air, significantly higher than is achieved with commercial BZY10 powders using these conditions. This constitutes a significant lowering of the sintering temperature of this oxide.     

Rapid synthesis of Y3Al5O12 powders via plasma electrolysis

Yttrium aluminum garnet (Y₃Al₅O₁₂, YAG) is an important functional material. However, the strict and complicated preparation has limited its wide application. This study aimed to rapidly synthesize Y₃Al₅O₁₂ by plasma electrolysis for the first time. The prepared powder was studied from topography, structure and elements by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The powder had a good crystal form with a spherical shape. The single kind of diffraction peak of Y₃Al₅O₁₂ in XRD revealed the high purity of the synthesized powders. The study of the relationship between the applied voltage and the synthesized powder revealed a threshold voltage of 210 V under the present condition. The higher voltage led to the damage of the electrode due to excessive heat. The synthesis of the YAG powder had a melt-quench process. The two processes were carried out at the same time.     

Transparent Y3Al5O12: Li,Ce Ceramics for Thermal Neutron Detection

To exploit the potential applications of thermal neutron detection, yttrium aluminum garnet co‐doped with 1 mol% Ce³⁺ and 5 mol% Li⁺ was vacuum sintered into a transparent ceramic through solid‐state reaction. The transmittance of a 2 mm thick sample was measured to be as high as 80.3% in the visible range and the microstructural characterization indicated that Li ions could also act as a sintering aid. Excitation and emission spectra data further supported the assumption that the Li ions have substituted into the garnet lattice. Excitation and emission spectra data of the prepared ceramic were also obtained for use in the characterization of optical properties.     

Layered Y3Al5O12:Pr/Gd3(Ga,Al)5O12:Ce optical ceramics: Synthesis and photo-physical properties

We report a study of composite scintillating ceramics based on coupled layers of two different garnets, namely Ce-doped gadolinium gallium aluminium (GGAG:Ce) and Pr-doped yttrium aluminium (YAG:Pr), fabricated by hot isostatic pressing. Two samples were prepared, with different GGAG:Ce layer thickness, 120 µm and 690 µm respectively, but with a comparable overall thickness of 1.4 mm. The key finding is that the material architecture strongly determines the scintillation response. The radioluminescence is that expected from the irradiated material when a thick layer of ceramic is exposed to X-rays. Conversely, exposing a thin layer allows a non-null probability —about 0.3% for 120 µm of GGAG— of finding an X-ray photon in the underlying layer, and thus radioluminescence from both materials is recorded. We believe these results can extend the potential of layered optical ceramics for advanced devices, such as energy- and direction-sensitive X-ray detectors.     

LED白光照明用(Y0.98-xSrx)3Al5O12:Ce0.06和(Y0.98-xBax)3Al5O12:Ce0.06系列荧光粉的晶相与荧光光谱

本研究采用较温和的高温固相法,用碱土金属离子Sr2+和Ba2+取代Y3+离子进行基质取代,合成了一系列(Y0.98-xSr)3Al5O12:Ce0.06和(Y0.98-xBax)3Al5O12:Ce0.06荧光粉.运用XRD对荧光粉进行了表征,试验结果表明:在一定的掺杂取代范围内,这些体系具有立方石榴石结构.运用荧光光...     

Fine-sized BaMgAl10O17:Eu phosphor powders prepared by spray pyrolysis from the spray solution with BaF2 flux

Fine-sized BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor powders with plate-like morphology were prepared by spray pyrolysis process. The effects of ratio of BaF₂ and Ba(NO₃)₂ used as the source materials of Ba component on the morphological and optical properties of the BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺ phosphor powders were investigated. BaF₂ was used as the flux material as well as the source material of Ba component. The phosphor powders prepared from the spray solution with the same mole concentrations of BaF₂ and Ba(NO₃)₂ had fine size, plate-like morphology and narrow size distribution. The addition of BaF₂ as the source material of Ba component increased the photoluminescence intensities of the phosphor powders. The phosphor powders prepared from the spray solution with the ratios of BaF₂ and Ba(NO₃)₂ larger than 1 had the similar photoluminescence intensities to that of the commercial product.     

Characteristics of Ag-doped BaTiO3 nanopowders prepared by spray pyrolysis

Pure and Ag-doped BaTiO₃ nanopowders were prepared by spray pyrolysis. Precursor powders, prepared from a spray solution with citric acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as chelating agents, had large, hollow particles irrespective of Ag doping. Both pure and Ag-doped powders had partially aggregated particles after post-treatment at 900 °C that could be easily milled to nanoparticles. The mean sizes of the pure and Ag-doped BaTiO₃ particles were 75 and 91 nm, respectively. The Ag-doped particles were mainly of cubic BaTiO₃ crystal structure, with small Ag phases observed. High-density BaTiO₃ pellets were formed by sintering the powders at the low temperature of 1000 °C. The silver was uniformly distributed in a tetragonal BaTiO₃ phase without phase separation in the doped pellet. The dielectric constants of the pellets formed from the pure and Ag-doped BaTiO₃ powders were 1826 and 2400, respectively.     

Mechanical properties of directionally solidified Al2O3/Y3Al5O12 eutectic ceramic prepared by optical floating zone technique

Al₂O₃/Y₃Al₅O₁₂(YAG) directionally solidified eutectic (DSE) crystal was prepared by optical floating zone technique. Al₂O₃/YAG DSE consists of continuous entangled Al₂O₃ and the YAG forming a three-dimensional networks structure. The volume fraction of porosity is ultra-low (0.013%) and the average equivalent diameters of most pores (>84%) are smaller than 4?μm. The Al₂O₃/YAG DSE shows excellent high-temperature elastic stiffness. The Young’s modulus at 1500?°C maintains more than 85% of the value at room temperature. Bending strength exhibits excellent retention up to high temperature as well. High-temperature ball indentation testing shows plastic deformation involving dislocations and twinning, which predominantly occur in Al₂O₃ phase, while the YAG phase is stable. Evaluation on H_v/E index predicts Al₂O₃/YAG DSE with moderate capability to accommodate damages. Our results highlight Al₂O₃/YAG DSE as excellent high-temperature structural materials.     

Characteristics of Bi-based glass powders with various glass transition temperatures prepared by spray pyrolysis

Spherical shape, submicron, and non-aggregated bismuth-based glass powders were prepared. Glass powders with low glass transition temperature melted the silver powders at firing temperatures of as low as 400 °C. After firing at 400 °C, the specific resistances of the silver conducting films obtained from glass powders with glass transition temperatures of 498 and 373 °C were 21.6 and 5.8 μΩ cm, respectively. After firing at 450 and 500 °C, the specific resistances of the silver conducting films obtained from glass powders with glass transition temperature of 425 °C were the lowest, i.e., 3.0 and 3.1 μΩ cm, respectively.     

Ce3+ doped Lu3Al5O12 ceramics prepared by spark plasma sintering technology using micrometre powders: Microstructure,luminescence, and scintillation properties

Ce³⁺ doped Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ (Ce:LuAG) ceramics were fabricated by the solid-state reaction method through spark plasma sintering (SPS) from 1350 °C to 1700 °C for 5 min at a pressure of 50 MPa using micro powders. The average grain size of the SPSed ceramics gradually grew from 0.42 µm (1400 °C) to 1.55 µm (1700 °C), which is nearly one order of magnitude lower than that of vacuum sintered (VSed) Ce:LuAG ceramics (~24.6 µm). Characteristic Ce³⁺ emission peaking at around 510 nm appeared and 92% photoluminescence intensity of room temperature can be reserved at 200 °C revealing excellent thermal stability. The maximum radioluminescence intensity reached around 3 times of VSed Ce:LuAG ceramics and 7.8 times of BGO crystals. The maximum scintillation light yield under γ-ray (¹³⁷Cs) excitation reached 9634 pho/MeV @ 2 μs. It is concluded that SPS technology is a feasible way to develop Ce:LuAG ceramics and further optical enhancement can be expected.     

氯化物助熔剂对Y3Al5O12:Ce3+荧光粉性能的影响

选用卤化物LiCl、NaCl、KCl和SrCl2等作为助熔剂,合成了一系列YAG∶Ce粉体,并研究了助熔剂对YAG∶Ce荧光粉晶相、形貌和发光性能的影响.结果表明适量助熔剂有利于YAG∶Ce荧光粉的晶化,合成的荧光粉具有石榴石的结构,规则的形貌和窄的粒度分布.添加适量助熔剂可以提高YAG∶Ce荧光粉的发光强度.最适宜的添加量分别是:LiCl 10%,NaCl 7%,KCl 7%,SrCl,4%.     

Ce/Mn/Cr: Y3Al5O12 phosphor ceramics for white LED and LD lighting with a high color rendering index

Ce/Mn/Cr: Y₃Al₅O₁₂ transparent ceramics with a pure garnet structure and a high color rendering index were prepared by a solid-state reaction method. Mn²⁺ and Cr³⁺ enhance the emission between 500 and 700 nm and expand the conventional Ce: YAG phosphors spectrum. The Ce³⁺ can work both, as activators and sensitizers, and the intense energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Mn²⁺/Cr³⁺ is realized through the non-radiative and radiative processes. In the sample with the optimized doping concentration the high color rendering index (CRI) value of 75.3 can be achieved under a 450 nm laser diode excitation. The chromaticity coordinates can be tuned from (0.3125, 0.3232) to (0.2917,0.2851) by varying the doping concentration. With the increasing Mn²⁺/Cr³⁺ doping concentration, the lifetime of Ce³⁺, quantum efficiency and luminous efficiency are all gradually decreased. This work effectively offers a scheme for realizing the high color rendering performance of phosphor-converted transparent ceramics in white LEDs/LDs.     

Firing characteristics of size-controlled silver-glass composite powders prepared by spray pyrolysis

Size-controlled spherical silver-glass composite powders were directly prepared by using spray pyrolysis. The mean sizes of the composite powders changed from 0.34 to 0.78 μm when the concentration of the spray solution was changed from 0.05 to 2 M. The firing characteristics of composite powders formed from the spray solutions with a glass content equal to 3 wt.% of the silver component were affected by the mean sizes of the powders. Silver-conducting films formed from large-sized composite powders had a denser structure than those formed from small-sized composite powders. Further, silver-conducting films formed from composite powders with a mean size of 0.78 μm had specific resistances of 3 and 2 μΩ cm at firing temperatures of 450 and 500 °C. However, silver-conducting films formed from composite powders with a mean size of 0.34 μm had specific resistances of 8.2 and 6.9 μΩ cm at firing temperatures of 450 and 500 °C.     

Dy3+-doped Y3Al5O12 transparent ceramic for high efficiency ultraviolet excited single-phase white-emitting phosphor

A kind of Dy-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) transparent ceramic for ultraviolet excited single-phase white light-emitting phosphor was investigated, which has high-quantum efficiency (45%). The temperature field of Dy:YAG transparent ceramic was calculated by steady-state thermal simulation. Moreover, by combining with 365 nm light-emitting diodes (LED) chip directly, the Commission Internationale de l’Éclairage coordinate (x = 0.33, y = 0.35) is close to the standard equal energy white light illumination. The Dy:YAG transparent ceramic, possessing of good optical and thermal properties, is promising for applications in high-power LEDs devices.     

Modeling and Monte Carlo simulation on photothermal effect in Gd3Al3Ga2O12:Ce3+/Y3Al5O12:Cr3+ layered composite ceramic

Layered composite ceramics have wide application in solid-state lasers. However, the photothermal effect in the layered ceramics has not been clarified, due to the interface effect between layers. In this work, the model of photon propagation and thermal distribution in the Gd₃Al₃Ga₂O₁₂:Ce³⁺/Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Cr³⁺ layered ceramics are established. The property of photon absorption, reflection, transmission, and thermal distribution are studied by combining the Monte Carlo method and the convolution method. It is found that the photon absorption distribution and thermal distribution of this layered ceramics show the gradient change. Furthermore, this change is strongly dependent on the type, beam width, and power of laser. The temperature of layered ceramics induced by Gaussian beam is higher than that induced by flat circular beam. This work provides a useful research method for the design of layered ceramic materials with excellent scintillation performance.     

Dielectric properties of nano-sized Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 powders prepared by spray pyrolysis

Nano-sized Ba_0.7Sr_0.3TiO₃ powders are prepared by post-treatment of the precursor powders with hollow and thin wall structure at temperatures between 900 and 1100 °C. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and citric acid improve the hollowness of the precursor powders prepared by spray pyrolysis. The mean sizes of the powders post-treated at temperatures of 900, 1000 and 1100 °C are 42, 51 and 66 nm, respectively. The densities of the Ba_0.7Sr_0.3TiO₃ pellets obtained from the powders post-treated at 900, 1000 and 1100 °C are each 5.36, 5.55 and 5.38 g cm^?3 at a sintering temperature of 1300 °C. The pellet obtained from the powders post-treated at 1000 °C has higher maximum dielectric constant than those obtained from the powders post-treated at 900 and 1100 °C.