Synthesis and luminescence properties of pure nitride Ca-α-sialon with the composition Ca1.4Al2.8Si9.2N16 by gas-pressed sintering

Abstract

Pure nitride Ca-α-sialon phosphors with the composition Ca_1.4−xAl_2.8Si_9.2N₁₆:xEu (x = 0–0.3) were successfully prepared by gas-pressed sintering and their luminescence properties and morphology were investigated. Simultaneously, their time-resolved spectra were also presented. Ca_1.4Al_2.8Si_9.2N₁₆:Eu exhibited broad-band yellow-orange emission centered at ∼592 nm (FWHM ≈ 85 nm) under 400 nm excitation and with good thermal stability. Its emission intensity at 250 °C remained 88% of that measured at room temperature. The emission intensity was 1.7 times that of YAG:Ce³⁺ (P46-Y3) commercial phosphor. The outstanding luminescent properties allow it to be an attractive luminescent material for white LEDs.