Synthesis and characterization of Eu²⁺ doped β-Sialon ultrafine powders

Eu²⁺ doped β-Sialon ultrafine powders were synthesized by carbothermal reduction-nitridation (CRN) technique. The precursors of β-Sialon was synthesized from SiO₂, AlCl₃·6H₂O, Eu(NO₃)₃, ammonia solution and carbon powders by the sol-gel method. The phase, morphology and luminescence properties of Eu²⁺ doped β-Sialon phosphor were studied by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fluorescent spectrophotometer. The pure rod-like Eu²⁺ doped β-Sialon powders could be obtained at processing temperature of 1380°C for a holding time of 6 h. Eu²⁺ doped β-Sialon phosphor had high adsorption in the UV spectral region. One band was observed in the emission spectra centered at about 419 nm exited by 280 nm. The excitation bands located at about 280 nm were observed in the excitation spectrum with monitored at emission wavelength of ~419 nm, which belonged to the 4f⁶5d→4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺.