Microwave-Assisted Solid State Synthesis of Red-Emitting BCNO Phosphor and its Characteristics

Abstract

Red-emitting BCNO phosphor has been synthesized by a microwave-assisted solid state reaction using a low-cost boric acid, urea and polyethylene glycol (PEG-20k) as the starting materials. The effects of reaction parameters: temperature, carbon and nitrogen content on material composition and photoluminescence properties were investigated. Nearly multi-phase hexagonal boron nitride, boron oxide, boron carbide and carbon graphite was observed, indicating the BCNO were successfully synthesized. The photoluminescence spectra of the phosphor excited by a UV light (365 nm) showed a broad emission band at 460 - 620 nm.