Precipitation process was applied to synthesize cerium-activated YAG using metal nitrates as starting materials. XRD analysis shows that phase-pure phosphors can be obtained at temperatures similar to 800 degrees C and their crystallization enhances with increasing annealing temperature. From SEM and TEM photographs, as-prepared particles are monocrystalline with fine size mostly in the range 40-100 nm. PL peak intensity increased with increasing annealing temperature and decreases with increasing Ce3+ doping concentration. Blue shift occurs as Ce3+ doping concentration increased, according to the increase in crystal field. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved