Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of green-emitting BaSi3O4N2:Eu2+ phosphors

• A new series of green emitting phosphors were prepared successfully.
• The phosphors exhibit intense green emission under excitation of UV/blue light.
• The PL intensity remains 88% at 150 °C in comparison with that of 50 °C.
• The assembled LED exhibits a high CRI (98) and a similar solar emission spectrum.

A series of green-emitting phosphors with the formula Ba1−xEuxSi3O4N2 (x=0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10, 0.15, 0.25) were synthesized successfully by solid state reactions. The phosphors exhibited strong green emission upon the excitation in the range of 250–480 nm, matching with the emission bands of the near ultraviolet and the blue LED chips. Combined Ba0.94Eu0.06Si3O4N2 with Sr2Si5N8:Eu2+ and YAG:Ce3+ phosphors for the blue LED, the obtained emission spectrum was analogous to the solar emission spectrum. Because evolution has produced human eyes being optimized to match the solar emission spectrum, Ba1−xSi3O4N2:xEu2+ is a promising candidate of green-emitting phosphor for eye health white LEDs.