Effects of flux additives on the characteristics of Y{sub 2.95}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12}:0.05Ce{sup 3+} phosphor: Particle growth mechanism and luminescence
The dependence of the amount of the BaF{sub 2} flux additive on the luminescence of Y{sub 2.95}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12}:0.05Ce{sup 3+} phosphors was investigated. The integrated emission intensity of Y{sub 2.95}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12}:0.05Ce{sup 3+} prepared without the flux was enhanced by 29% with the addition of BaF{sub 2} flux at the optimum amount of 6 wt. %. Such an enhancement can be attributed to the purer phase of Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12} and the morphology change from the irregular shape to spherical shape with the smoother surface due to the flux. The morphology and luminescence of Y{sub 2.95}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12}:0.05Ce{sup 3+} prepared with the 6 wt. % BaF{sub 2} flux additive (Sample II) were further compared with those of Y{sub 2.95}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12}:0.05Ce{sup 3+} prepared with the 7 wt. % H{sub 3}BO{sub 3} flux additive (Sample I). The particle size, particle shape, and integrated emission intensity (λ{sub ex} = 450 nm) of the former were found to be larger, more regular, and 6% higher than those of the latter. The difference in the morphology of Samples I and II, which led to the difference in the emission intensity and the external quantum efficiency, were well explained by the particle growth mechanism.