Carbothermal Reduction Synthesis Using CaCN2 as Calcium and Carbon Sources for CaAlSiN3:Eu2+ Phosphor and Their Luminescence Properties

High-quality powders of mixed metal nitride phosphor, CaAlSiN3:Eu2+, were successfully synthesized using only inexpensive and air-stable materials, viz. CaCN2, CaCO3:Eu3+, AlN, and Si3N4, with no impurities such as AlN or carbon residue by a CRN method even under conditions of normal N-2 pressure (0.1 MPa) and a moderate temperature of 1600 degrees C for 5-7 h. The resultant phosphors were well crystallized and gave an intense red emission band peaking at about 650 nm by optimizing the dopant amount of Eu2+ ion (ca. 3 atom %).