Synthesis and photoluminescence of BCNO/SiO2 nanocomposite phosphor materials

A BCNO/SiO2 phosphor was successfully synthesized using a facile process at relatively low temperature (700–850 °C) and atmospheric pressure. The phosphors were prepared from precursors containing boric acid, urea, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and SiO2 nanoparticles. The sample exhibited a single, distinct and broad photoluminescence (PL) emission band, the color of which varied from blue (480 nm) to green (522 nm). Adding SiO2 nanoparticles into the precursor homogenizes the spatial distribution of luminescent centers throughout the sample and increases the quantum yield up to 6-fold (for 3 wt% of SiO2 nanoparticles) compared with that of the sample without SiO2 nanoparticles. The BCNO/SiO2 nanocomposite has potential applications in white LEDs. -- Highlights: • A BCNO/SiO2 phosphor shown a single, distinct and broad photoluminescence (PL) emission band from blue (480 nm) to green (522 nm). • SiO2 nanoparticles increase the BCNO phosphor's quantum yield up to 6-fold. • Effect of the SiO2 mass fraction on the luminescence properties of BCNO/SiO2 was investigated