Effect of Si–N Incorporation on Color-Tunable CaEuAl2–xSixO4–xNx Phosphors: Luminescence, Thermal Stability, and Its Application

Abstract

Color tunable Ca0.96Eu0.04Al2–xSixO4–xNx phosphors are prepared using a convenient solid-state reaction. Si–N content (x) was adjusted to study its effect on luminescence and thermal stability. This incorporation of Si–N effect drastically changes the bonds of phosphor materials from being ionic-rich to being covalent-rich. This transformation is investigated using x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectra, and photoluminescence measurements. When the Si–N content was increased to 2, the phosphor properties significantly improved, with a broad excitation band, tunable-emission, and a high thermal quenching temperature (T50 > 175 C). Results show that Ca0.96Eu0.04Si2O2N2 green phosphors with a broad excitation band and good thermal stability have potential for use in solid-state lighting and solar cells.