Photoluminescence and thermal stability of β-SiAlON:Re (Re = Sm, Dy) phosphors

Rare-earth-doped β-SiAlON phosphors, with the compositions of Si6−zAlzOzN8−z:xRe (z = 1, Re = Sm or Dy, 0.01 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.05), were prepared by a solid-state reaction at high temperature. The photoluminescence properties were investigated as functions of the rare earths (i.e., x) concentration. In β-SiAlON:Sm2+, broad 4f55d1 → 4f6 emission and line 5D0 → 7FJ emission were observed at room temperature. The characteristic 4F9/2 → 6H15/2 (blue) and 4F9/2 → 6H13/2 (yellow) transitions of Dy3+ were detected in the emission spectra. And the thermal quenching properties of β-SiAlON:Sm2+ and β-SiAlON:Dy3+ were investigated.

► β-SiAlON:Sm/Dy phosphors have been prepared at 1600 °C under atmospheric pressure.
► Photoluminescence and thermal stability have been investigated.
► They could be used as a potential candidate for UV LEDs.