Preparation and characterization of Nd:YAG nano-powders by polyacrylamide gel method

Using Al(NO3)3·9H2O, Y(NO3)3·6H2O and Nd(NO3)3·6H2O, acrylamide and N'N-methylene-bis-acrylamide as the starting materials, monomer and lattice reagent, respectively, the Nd:YAG powders were prepared by polyacrylamide gel method. The prepared samples were characterized by thermo-gravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry, XRD, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The results indicate that the formation temperature of pure YAG phase is 880°C. The YAG powders exhibit coral shape, and the particle size increases with the rise of temperature. The luminescence spectrum of YAG:Nd3+ exhibits the strongest emission peak at 401 nm. Concentration quenching effect of Nd3+ in YAG was observed in the study.