Abstract
We have synthesized bluish-green, highly-efficient $BaSi_2O_2N_2:Eu^{2+}$ and $(Ba,Sr)Si_2O_2N_2:Eu^{2+}$ phosphors through a conventional solid state reaction method using metal carbonate, $Si_3N_4$, and $Eu_2O_3$ as raw materials. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of these phosphors revealed that a $BaSi_2O_2N_2$ single phase was obtained. The excitation and emission spectra showed typical broadband excitation and emission resulting from the 5d to 4f transition of $Eu^{2+}$. These phosphors absorb blue light at around 450 nm and emit bluish-green luminescence, with a peak wavelength at around 495 nm. From the results of an experiment involving Eu concentration quenching, the relative PL intensity was reduced dramatically for Eu = 0.033. A small substitution of Sr in place of Ba increased the relative emission intensity of the phosphor. We prepared several white LEDs through a combination of $BaSi_2O_2N_2:Eu^{2+}$, YAG:$Ce^{3+}$, and silicone resin with a blue InGaN-based LED. In the case of only the YAG:$Ce^{3+}$-converted LED, the color rendering index was 73.4 and the efficiency was 127 lm/W. In contrast, in the YAG:$Ce^{3+}$ and $BaSi_2O_2N_2:Eu^{2+}$-converted LED, two distinct emission bands from InGaN (450 nm) and the two phosphors (475-750 nm) are observed, and combine to give a spectrum that appears white to the naked eye. The range of the color rendering index and the efficiency were 79.7-81.2 and 117-128 lm/W, respectively. The increased values of the color rendering index indicate that the two phosphor-converted LEDs have improved bluish-green emission compared to the YAG:Ce-converted LED. As such, the $BaSi_2O_2N_2:Eu^{2+}$ phosphor is applicable to white high-rendered LEDs for solid state lighting.
