Ce doped yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG:Ce) was synthesized by LiF assisted sol-gel combustion method. The thermal behavior, composition, and microstructure feature of the precursor were studied by TG/DTA, XRD, PL, and SEM. The using of LiF in the sol-gel combustion process was helpful to decrease the sintering temperature about 200 degrees C. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the powder sintered at 540 degrees C were identical with the stoichiometric YAG composition, which was the lowest temperature reported for the synthesis of crystalline and single phase YAG. The PL intensity of the particles was found to be affected by the content of LiF and this phenomenon was thought to be related to the change of phase composition with the increase of flux. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.