Synthesis and luminescence properties of Eu2+- and Ce3+-doped AlONs

Abstract Series of Eu 2+ - and Ce 3+ -doped aluminium oxynitrides Al 5 O 6 N were prepared using the standard sol–gel technique with following firing in the flow of N 2 . Rare-earth metals oxides (Eu 2 O 3 and CeO 2 ) and complexes (Eu(acac) 3 and Ce(acac) 3 ) were used as sources of doping ions. It was found that both concentration of ions and nature of precursor affect phase composition and luminescent properties of Al 5 O 6 N:Eu 2+ and Al 5 O 6 N:Ce 3+ materials. At low concentrations of Eu 2+ and Ce 3+ the significant content of α-Al 2 O 3 and AlN is observed and the content of impurities is higher for samples prepared from Eu/Ce(acac) 3 comparing to samples prepared from oxides. The content of impurities decrease when the concentration of RE-ions increases to 0.1–0.2 at%, at higher concentration the formation of RE-aluminates is observed. The intensity of luminescence increases when content of RE ions increases to 0.5 at% for Al 5 O 6 N:Eu 2+ and 0.1 at% for Al 5 O 6 N:Ce 3+ , at higher concentrations a quenching of luminescence is observed.