Characteristics of Eu2+-doped Ca-α-SiAlON phosphor powders prepared by spray pyrolysis process

► Carbothermal reduction and nitridation (CRN) process was firstly combined to the spray pyrolysis to prepare the Eu2+-doped Ca-α-SiAlON phosphor powders. ► The phosphor powders had a broad excitation spectra range of 250-500 nm; this consisted of two broadbands centered at 305 and 400 nm. ► When excited by a 455-nm blue light, the emission spectra of the phosphor powders displayed a broadband in the range of 500-700 nm, which resulted in a yellow emission.