White light-emitting diodes (w-LEDs) are a novel technology that has high efficiency, low energy consumption, outstanding safety, and is non-toxic in nature. They are used in numerous applications such as LCD backlights, automotive headlights, and display technologies. As a result of the demanding condition associated with the widespread use of LEDs, the crystal structure, chemical content, and shape/size of photoluminescent materials must be closely controlled.

Rare-earth-doped oxynitride have recently been discovered to exhibit photoluminescence capabilities, and because of their strong thermal and chemical stabilities, they may serve as novel phosphors. Rare-earth doped β-SiAlON is well recognized in this category for its good mechanical qualities, chemical stability, and luminous thermal stability. The hexagonal crystal structure of β-SiAlON is derived from the β-Si3N4 structure by equivalent substitution of Al-O for Si-N, and have chemical composition is Si6-zAlzOzN8-z (z denotes the number of Al-O pairs substituting for Si-N pairs and (0 < z < 4.2). β-SiAlON's unique characteristics, along with extended emission and excitation wavelengths, make it an ideal host material for high luminescence efficiency. In terms of applicability to LEDs, phosphor materials must have high phase purity and homogeneous crystal size distribution, in addition to good optical efficiency, color stability, and low thermal quenching is required.

In this work, we inspect a novel chemical approach, the polymer derived ceramics (PDCs), for the design of β-SiAlON. As a result, at each stage of the process, we will give our design approach as well as the characterization of the material. The doping of polymer-derived β-SiAlON will be demonstrated as a proof of notion.

Munni Kumari (Ph.D.)