Synthesis of Ca-α-SiAlON:Eu x phosphor powder by carbothermal-reduction–nitridation process

Abstract

Yellow-emitting Ca-α-SiAlON:Eu x phosphor powders have been synthesized by the carbothermal-reduction–nitridation of a homogeneous Ca–Si–Al–Eu–C–O mixture at 1550 °C in flowing nitrogen. The resulting phosphor powder emits yellow luminescence with a peak wavelength at 575–590 nm under ultraviolet excitation at 370 nm. Compared with commercial Ce 3+-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG:Ce 3+) phosphor powder, the synthesized Ca-α-SiAlON:Eu x phosphor powder exhibits better thermal stability.