A precursor of the Y3Al5O12:Ce (YAG:Ce) phosphor was obtained by co-precipitation of the solution of high purity nitrates with ammonium bicarbonate solution.The precipitation process of the precursor was studied in this work.YAG:Ce yellow phosphors with fine morphology was synthesized by annealing the precursor at a reducing atmosphere.The crystal phase,microstmcture of the phosphors and their photoluminescence were investigated.The results indicated that the pure phase of YAG:Ce could be obtained at 1673 K annealing temperature.The particles of phosphor were basically spherical in shape with the mean size less than 2 μm.The excitation spectrum showed a broad and strong absorption band at about 460 nm,compatible with the excited wavelength of commercial blue light emitting diode (LED) for white LED lighting.Bright yellow-emission located at 540 nm was observed.