Crystal structure and photoluminescence properties of (Y1−Ce )4Si2O7N2

Abstract Oxonitridosilicate compounds with compositions of (Y 1− x Ce x ) 4 Si 2 O 7 N 2 ( x = 0–0.1) compounds have been synthesized. The relations of structure, photoluminescence properties and Ce content have been studied. These compounds have a broad band excitation covering from 350 to 450 nm and a broad band emission covering from 450 to 575 nm. There exist four different types of photoluminescence centers, which correspond to four different crystallographic sites accommodating the Ce 3+ dopants in the lattice. The energy transfer among Ce 3+ ions in different sites enhance with the increasing Ce content, leading to red-shift of the emission peaks and concentration quenching. The relationship between crystallographic sites of Ce 3+ ions and luminescence properties is established. (Y 1− x Ce x ) 4 Si 2 O 7 N 2 is a promising phosphor for use in white light-emitting diodes.