Structure and Novel Optical Characteristics of SrSi 2 O 2 N 2 :Ce 3+ /Tb 3+ Oxynitride Phosphors

A microwave‐assisted hydrothermal route was developed for preparing (Sr 1− x − y Ce x Tb y )Si 2 O 2−δ N 2+μ phosphors. Both the required calcination temperatures and heating duration were markedly reduced as compared with the solid‐state reaction. With a rise in the calcination temperatures, the emission intensity of Ce 3+ ‐doped phosphors decreased due to the thermal quenching effects. For Tb 3+ ‐doped phosphors, the emission intensities of the splitting peaks were influenced by the thermal interaction between the Tb 3+ energy levels. It is found that the Ce 3+ ‐ and Tb 3+ ‐doped SrSi 2 O 2 N 2 phosphors demonstrate great absorption in the vacuum ultraviolet region and are therefore suitable for application in plasma display panels. While Ce 3+ and Tb 3+ were codoped into SrSi 2 O 2 N 2 , the emission spectra exhibited the combination of the Ce 3+ and Tb 3+ emission peaks. The energy transfer process from Tb 3+ to Ce 3+ via the electrostatic interaction was also investigated in detail.