Effect of CaCN2 on the preparation of CaAlSiN3:Eu2+ phosphors

Highly efficient red-emitting phosphors, CaAlSiN3:Eu2+, were successfully prepared by the solid-state method using calcium cyanide (CaCN2) as the single calcium source. The influences of crystallization temperature, crystallization time, calcination mode and compounds ratio on the photoluminescent properties were investigated. The CaAlSiN3:Eu2+ phosphors were obtained with 1mol% CaCN2 by a two-step calcination procedure at 900 degrees C for 2h and subsequently at 1600 degrees C for 8h. The CaAlSiN3:Eu2+ phosphors showed the strongest luminescent intensity at 660nm when excited by 468nm. With an increase in crystallization time, the maximum wavelength of the emission was shifted from 644nm to 660nm.