Effect of dopant concentration on the phase composition and luminescence properties of Eu2+- and Ce3+-doped AlONs

Abstract

Herein we report the synthesis of aluminum oxynitride (Al5O6N) doped with Eu2+ and Ce3+ and examine the effects of the dopant concentration and the nature of the rare-earth-containing precursor (europium and cerium oxides, Eu(acac)3, and Ce(acac)3) on its properties. At dopant concentrations above the solubility limit of rare-earth aluminates (EuAl12O19 and CeAl11O18) in aluminum oxynitride, we observed the formation of aluminum nitride and aluminum oxide (α-Al2O3) as individual phases. The concentration of the latter phase was higher when the rare-earth oxides were used. The emission intensity in the cathodoluminescence spectra of the samples was shown to have a maximum at Eu2+ and Ce3+ concentrations from 0.1 to 0.5 at %. Concentration quenching of luminescence was observed.