Cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG:Ce) powder was synthesized by the Pechini method with aluminum nitride, yttrium nitride, citric acid and ethylene glycol as the starting materials. Structure, morphology and luminescence spectra were investigated by using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy measurements. The pure YAG phase was formed after heat treatment at 800 degrees C for 3 h and no intermediate phase was observed. The average size of the particles was about 70 nm. The photoluminescence spectrum of the crystalline YAG:Ce phosphors showed the green-yellow emission with 5d --> 4f transition as the most prominent group. The increase of the ethylene glycol:citric acid molar ratio, resulted in a powder with smaller particle size and better luminescence properties. (C) 2011 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.