Preparation and property of β-SiAlON:Eu2+ luminescent fibers by an electrospinning method combined with carbothermal reduction nitridation

β-SiAlON:Eu2+ phosphors synthesis usually requires higher temperatures and higher nitrogen pressure conditions. In the present research, a low temperature technique has been developed to synthesize both β-SiAlON and Eu-doped β-SiAlON fibers by electrospinning combined with carbothermal reduction nitridation (CRN). The carbon sources used as reductant in CRN procedure have been optimized to effectively produce a well-crystallized β-SiAlON phase at lower temperatures of 1370-1500 °C. Additionally, through adding sucrose and covering activated carbon powders on the top of fiber precursor layers, the highly-pure β-SiAlON and β-SiAlON:Eu2+ fibers could be obtained. The pyrolysis behavior of fiber precursors, crystalline phase, morphology, and UV excited luminescence properties of the produced ceramic fibers were also studied by using TG-DSC measurement, XRD analysis, SEM observation, and spectrometer method. The resultant fibers exhibit a smooth surface and an uniforme morphology with a substantial length. Moreover, the β-SiAlON:Eu2+ fibers thus prepared show a blue light emission peaked at 470 nm under UV excitation.