Nano-sized Ce-doped YAG phosphor particles were synthesized by a mixed solvothermal method using the stoichiometric amounts of inorganic aluminum and yttrium salts. The formation of YAG:Ce was investigated by means of XRD and TG-DTA. The purified YAG crystalline phases was obtained under moderate synthesis condition (300 degreesC and 10 MPa), this indicated that ethanol replaced part of water as solvent favoring the formation of YAG. TEM images showed that YAG:Ce phosphor particles were basically spherical in shape, well dispersed and a mean grain size about 60 nm. The particle absorbed excitation energy in the range 403-510 nm, and the maximum excitation wavelength was near 470 nm. The crystalline YAG:Ce showed broad emission peaks in the range 480-650 nm and had maximum intensity at 528 nm. The excitation and emission intensity increased with increasing the synthesis temperature from 280 to 300 degreesC, and get the maximum brightness at 300 degreesC. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.