Elaboration of Ce:(Lu,Gd)3Al5O12-Al2O3 transparent nanoceramics through
full glass crystallization for high-power warm white LED/LD lighting
Abstract
Transparent Ce:Lu3Al5O12 (Ce:LuAG) phosphor ceramics are promising for
high-power white lighting due to their high quantum efficiency, thermal
stability and low thermal quenching. However, the shortage of red
spectral composition and expensive price are preventing the application
of Ce:LuAG phosphor ceramics in high-quality white lighting. In this
work, (Lu,Gd)3Al5O12-Al2O3 (LuGAG-Al2O3) nanoceramics were prepared by
partially replacing Lu3+ with Gd3+ through glass crystallization. These
ceramics exhibit outstanding transparency and excellent mechanical
properties. Compared with Ce:LuAG-Al2O3 transparent nanoceramics, the
emission spectrum of transparent Ce:LuGAG-Al2O3 nanoceramics shows a
substantial red shift (505 nm→570 nm), which effectively supplement the
red light lacking in Ce:LuAG ceramics. With a maximum quantum efficiency
of 81.4% and excellent thermal stability (87.6% @423 K), these
nanoceramics have potential for high-power white lighting. When used in
high-power LED and LD lighting, Ce:LuGAG-Al2O3 transparent nanoceramics
achieve continuous adjustable changes from green light to orange-yellow
light, and furthermore provide high quality warm white lighting with low
color temperature, high color rendering index, and excellent luminous
efficiency. Combining the facile and moderate elaboration process
through full glass crystallization, the transparent Ce:LuGAG-Al2O3
nanoceramics reported in this paper are therefore regarded as promising
color converters candidates for high-power warm white LED/LD lighting.