Preparation, Structure, and Luminescence Properties of Y[sub 2]Si[sub 4]N[sub 6]C:Ce[sup 3+] and Y[sub 2]Si[sub 4]N[sub 6]C:Tb[sup 3+]

Rare-earth silicon carbonitrides, Y 2 Si 4 N 6 C and Y 2 Si 4 N 6 C : M 3 + ( M = Ce , Tb ) , were prepared by a carbothermal reduction and nitridation method. The crystal structure of Y 2 Si 4 N 6 C was determined by Rietveld refinement using the atomic coordinates of Ho 2 Si 4 N 6 C as a starting model. The host lattice was isostructural with Ho 2 Si 4 N 6 C of monoclinic system [ P 2 1 ∕ c , a = 5.9295 ( 1 ) , b = 9.8957 ( 1 ) , c = 11.8800 ( 2 ) Å , β = 119.63 ( 4 ) ° , and Z = 4 ]. The photoluminescence properties of doped materials, Y 2 Si 4 N 6 C : Ce 3 + and Y 2 Si 4 N 6 C : Tb 3 + , were characterized on the basis of the detailed structural analysis result.