Chemistry of Materials
Chemistry of Materials
5 years ago

Direct Measurements of Energy Levels and Correlation with Thermal Quenching Behavior in Nitride Phosphors

Direct Measurements of Energy Levels and Correlation with Thermal Quenching Behavior in Nitride Phosphors
Peter J. Schmidt, Alexander Moewes, Philipp Strobel, Thomas M. Tolhurst, Wolfgang Schnick
Highly efficient narrow-band red emitting (RE) phosphors are the most desired and requested materials for developing illumination grade phosphor-converted light emitting diodes (pcLEDs). This study presents direct measurements of RE energy levels, critical to the color and efficiency of LED phosphors. For the first time, we experimentally determine the energetic separation of the Eu 5d state and the conduction band, which is the key indicator of quantum efficiency. This was achieved for the next-generation pcLED phosphors Li2Ca2[Mg2Si2N6]:Eu2+, Ba[Li2(Al2Si2)N6]:Eu2+, and Sr[LiAl3N4]:Eu2+ using resonant inelastic X-ray scattering. Band to band and 4f to valence band transitions are directly observed in X-ray excited optical luminescence spectra of Sr[LiAl3N4]:Eu2+ and Sr[Mg3SiN4]:Eu2+. These techniques are widely applicable and create a comprehensive, experimental picture of the Eu2+ energy levels in these compounds, leading to a complete understanding of all pertinent electronic processes. This study forms the base needed for a detailed discussion of the structure–property relationships, such as specific atoms, coordination and density of states, underpinning phosphor color and efficiency.

Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.7b02974

DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.7b02974

You might also like
Discover & Discuss Important Research

Keeping up-to-date with research can feel impossible, with papers being published faster than you'll ever be able to read them. That's where Researcher comes in: we're simplifying discovery and making important discussions happen. With over 19,000 sources, including peer-reviewed journals, preprints, blogs, universities, podcasts and Live events across 10 research areas, you'll never miss what's important to you. It's like social media, but better. Oh, and we should mention - it's free.

  • Download from Google Play
  • Download from App Store
  • Download from AppInChina

Researcher displays publicly available abstracts and doesn’t host any full article content. If the content is open access, we will direct clicks from the abstracts to the publisher website and display the PDF copy on our platform. Clicks to view the full text will be directed to the publisher website, where only users with subscriptions or access through their institution are able to view the full article.