Improved optical properties in nanocrystalline Ce:YGG garnets via normal and reverse strike co-precipitation method

Abstract

There is a difference in the growth of nanoparticles based on the environment in which nucleation occurs as is observed by changing the order of reactant being added to the precipitant present in excess called the normal strike and reverse strike method. The effect of particle size on optical properties of Ce:YGG (Ce doped yttrium gallium garnet) obtained via normal and reverse strike synthesis has been investigated. The normal strike route led to smaller particle size, good chemical homogeneity as well as significant improvement in photoluminescence properties compared to the reverse strike route. A comparative study of Ce:YGG nanoparticles, synthesized via the two different methods and their optical properties are discussed. There is an enhancement in the photoluminescence efficiency in nanoparticles obtained by the normal strike method mainly due to homogeneous distribution of active ions in the host which is essential to avoid quenching.