Here, we report on the effect of BaF2 powder addition on the mechanical synthesis of Ce3+-doped Y3Al5O12 (Y2.97Al5O12:Ce-0.03 (3+), YAG:Ce3+ phosphors for white light emitting diodes. The YAG phosphors were synthesized by the mechanical method using an attrition-type mill. When BaF2 was added at 6 wt% to the raw powder materials and milled, the synthesis of YAG:Ce3(+) was favorably achieved at the vessel temperature of 255 degrees C, which was about 1200 degrees C lower than the YAG phosphor synthesis temperature by solid-state reaction. The synthesized YAG:Ce3+ phosphor revealed the maximum internal quantum yield of 57%. (C) 2016 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.