Wavelength-tunable and thermally stable Li-α-sialon:Eu2+ oxynitride phosphors for white light-emitting diodes

Abstract

Eu 2 + -activated Li-α-sialon is a promising yellow phosphor for white light-emitting diodes (LEDs). This letter reports that the emission of Eu2+ in Li-α-sialon can be tuned widely (563–586nm) by tailoring the composition or controlling the Eu2+ concentration. The thermal stability of Li-α-sialon:Eu2+, relying a little on the composition and the Eu2+ concentration, remains high in a wide temperature range (25–200°C). Moreover, the chromaticity of Li-α-sialon:Eu2+ does not shift with changes in temperature. Using a single Li-α-sialon:Eu2+ phosphor, highly efficient white LEDs (46–55lm∕W) with different color temperatures (3000–5200K) can be fabricated.