Microwave-hydrothermally synthesized (Sr1−x−yCexTby)Si2O2−δN2+μ phosphors: efficient energy transfer, structural refinement and photoluminescence properties

Abstract

A facile microwave-assisted hydrothermal method was developed to prepare oxynitride-based (Sr1−x−yCexTby)Si2O2−δN2+μ phosphors. The microwave-assisted hydrothermal process led to lower synthesis temperatures and shortened heating duration. The obtained powders exhibited a narrow size distribution. The Rietveld refinement reveals the obtained phosphors to have a triclinic crystal system. For Ce3+ doped SrSi2O2N2 phosphors, the emission spectrum exhibited an asymmetric band at 447 nm (λex = 322 nm), corresponding to the blue hue. As Ce3+ and Tb3+ ions were co-doped into SrSi2O2N2, the energy transfer occurred via a dipole–dipole interaction.