Influence of Polymer Decomposition Temperature on the Formation of Rare-Earth Free Boron Carbon Oxynitride Phosphors

Abstract

In this study, the effect of polymer decomposition temperature on the preparation of boron carbon oxynitride (BCNO) phosphors was investigated with the aim of obtaining materials with enhanced photoluminescence properties. Three types of polymers, including polyethyleneimine (PEI), polyallylamine (PAA), and tetraethylene glycol (TEG) were used as carbon sources for the formation of BCNO phosphors. PEI was found to have the highest internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of the three polymers because of its optimum thermal decomposition temperature and high exothermic energy during BCNO formation. The IQE of the BCNO phosphors prepared with PEI was 50%, representing a 130% increase over the value observed when TEG was used as the carbon source. In addition, the emission band of the BCNO phosphors could be tuned from 380 to 490 nm by varying the reaction temperature and polymer concentrations.