Sintering time optimization on red photoluminescence properties of manganese-doped boron carbon oxynitride (BCNO:Mn) phosphor

The effect of sintering time to the transient nature and optimization of red photoluminescence manganese-doped boron carbon oxynitride (BCNO:Mn) phosphor was investigated. The BCNO:Mn samples were synthesized using a facile urea-assisted combustion route involving boric acid, citric acid, manganese salt and urea. The optimized intensity of the dual peak emission at 420 nm (blue emission) and 630 nm (red emission) in the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum could be achieved by controlling the sintering time of the BCNO:Mn. The BCNO:Mn samples in high-crystalline form was found to be in a cubic and hexagonal structure. Based on the PL analysis, it is suggested that the BCNO:Mn symmetric band at 630 nm can be attributed to the ⁴T₁(⁴G)—⁶A₁(⁶S) transition absorption of Mn²⁺ ions into the hexagonal structure. Microstructure analysis showed an irregular and agglomerated shape of the BCNO:Mn sample. (paper)