NITRIDOPHOSPHATE PHOSPHORS FOR SOLID STATE LIGHTING AND METHOD OF PRODUCTION

Abstract

A method of forming a nitridophosphate is disclosed, the method including forming a precursor mixture by combining a metal source material, a phosphorus source material, and a nitrogen source material, and heating the precursor mixture at a maximum temperature between 800° C. and 1300° C. in an atmosphere including nitrogen gas at a pressure between 2 MPa and 500 MPa.

Claims

1. A method of forming a luminescent nitridophosphate comprising: forming a precursor mixture by combining a metal source material, a phosphorus source material, a nitrogen source material, and a dopant source; and heating the precursor mixture at a maximum temperature between 800° C. and 1300° C. in an atmosphere including nitrogen gas at a pressure between 2 MPa and 500 MPa.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal source material comprises at least one of a metal azide, metal nitride, metal hydride, and metal halide, the phosphorus source material comprises at least one of elemental phosphor, HPN.sub.2, HP.sub.4N.sub.7, PON, and/or P.sub.3N.sub.5.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the precursor mixture further includes at least one of an oxygen source material and a halide source material.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the dopant source material comprises EuCl.sub.2.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the metal in the metal source material comprises at least one of Ca, Sr, Ba, Eu, Ce, La, Y, and Lu.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the maximum temperature is between 1000° C. and 1200° C.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the atmosphere consists of nitrogen gas.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the atmosphere consists of a mixture of nitrogen gas at a partial pressure between 2 MPa and 300 MPa and argon gas at a partial pressure between 10 MPa and 200 MPa.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein precursor mixture comprises at least one of Ca.sub.3N.sub.2 and Ca(N.sub.3).sub.2, at least one of P.sub.3N.sub.5 and P.sub.red, and EuCl.sub.2.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the precursor mixture comprises M(N.sub.3).sub.2, at least one of P.sub.3N.sub.5 and P.sub.red, MX.sub.2, and EuCl.sub.2 (M=Sr, Ba and X=Cl, Br).

11. A luminescent material comprising M.sub.aP.sub.bA.sub.qN.sub.rO.sub.yX.sub.z:D, where M=a rare earth and/or alkali metal; A=Al and/or Si, X=F, Cl, Br, or I; D=Eu.sup.2+ or Ce.sup.3+, a>0, b>0, r>0, q≥0, y≥0 and z≥0, excluding Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu.sup.2+, Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10:Eu.sup.2+, CaP.sub.2N.sub.4:Eu.sup.2+, SrP.sub.2N.sub.4:Eu.sup.2+, BaP.sub.2N.sub.4:Eu.sup.2+, Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu.sup.2+, and BaSr.sub.2P.sub.6N.sub.12:Eu.sup.2+.

12. The luminescent material of claim 11, where M=Ca, a=2, b=1 x=3, y=0 and z=0.

13. The luminescent material of claim 11, where M=Sr, a=3, b=5, x=10, y=0, and z=1.

14. A wavelength converting structure comprising the luminescent material of claim 11.

15. The wavelength converting structure of claim 14, further comprising a light source emitting a first light, the wavelength converting structure disposed in a path of the first light, wherein luminescent phosphor absorbs the first light and emits a second light having a different wavelength than the first light.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a method for commercial scale production of nitridophosphates, including nitridophosphate phosphors.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a scanning electron microscope (“SEM”) image of the Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu obtained from Example 2.

[0009] FIG. 3 shows powder X-ray diffraction (“PXRD”) pattern (Cu Kα radiation) of the isolated Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu powder obtained from Example 2.

[0010] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the crystal structure of Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3.

[0011] FIG. 5 shows the normalized excitation and emission spectra of the obtained Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a scanning electron microscope image of the Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu obtained from Example 4.

[0013] FIG. 7 shows powder X-ray diffraction pattern (Cu Kα radiation) of the isolated Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu powder obtained from Example 4.

[0014] FIG. 8 is an illustration of the crystal structure of Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu.

[0015] FIG. 9 shows the normalized excitation and emission spectra of the obtained Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a scanning electron microscope image of the Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu obtained from Example 6.

[0017] FIG. 11 shows powder X-ray diffraction pattern (Cu Kα radiation) of the isolated Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu powder obtained from Example 6.

[0018] FIG. 12 shows the normalized excitation and emission spectra of the obtained Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu.

[0019] FIG. 13 is a scanning electron microscope image of the Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu obtained from Example 8.

[0020] FIG. 14 shows powder X-ray diffraction pattern (Cu Kα radiation) of the isolated Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu powder obtained from Example 8.

[0021] FIG. 15 shows the normalized excitation and emission spectra of the obtained Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu.

[0022] FIG. 16 is a scanning electron microscope image of the Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu obtained from Example 10.

[0023] FIG. 17 shows powder X-ray diffraction pattern (Cu Kα radiation) of the isolated Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu powder obtained from Example 10.

[0024] FIG. 18 shows the normalized excitation and emission spectra of the obtained Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu.

[0025] FIG. 19 illustrates a wavelength converting structure that includes at least one of the disclose nitridophosphate phosphor materials.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] This specification discloses an industrial production method for making nitridophosphates, including nitridophosphate phosphors, and novel nitridophosphate phosphors for use in pcLEDs.

[0027] As used herein, the term “nitridophosphate” means a crystalline substance that has P—N bonds and tetrahedral building blocks with phosphor as the center atom and at least one nitrogen atom at the vertices of the tetrahedral. Nitridophosphates include, for example, M.sub.aP.sub.bN.sub.xO.sub.yX.sub.z where M is a metal or combinations of metals, for example, a rare earth or alkali metal, and X is a halide. For example, nitridophosphates include M.sub.aP.sub.bN.sub.xO.sub.yX.sub.z where M=Ca, Sr, Ba, Eu, Ce, La, Y, and/or Lu; and X=F, Cl, Br, or I; a>0, b>0, x>0, y>0 and z≥0. Specific nitridophosphates include, for example, SrP.sub.3N.sub.5O, Ba.sub.6P.sub.12N.sub.17O.sub.9Br, MP.sub.2N.sub.4 (M=Sr, Ba), and Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10X (X=Cr, Br, I).

[0028] Such nitridophosphates may be used as a host lattice material for solid state lighting phosphors. As used herein, the term “nitridophosphate phosphor” means a nitridophosphate as defined above and including a dopant such that the resulting material is luminescent. In nitridophosphate phosphors the P(N,O).sub.4 tetrahedral building blocks in the host lattice structure can be further connected with other tetrahedral building blocks by means of vertex, edge, or face sharing. Nitridophosphate phosphors include, for example, M.sub.aP.sub.bA.sub.qN.sub.rO.sub.yX.sub.z:D, where D is a dopant, M and X are as defined above, A=Al and/or Si, and a>0, b>0, r>0, q≥0, y≥0 and z≥0. Dopant D may include, for example, Eu.sup.2+ and Ce.sup.3*. Examples of novel nitridophosphate phosphors include, for example, Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu and Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10X:Eu (where X=Cl, Br), and examples also include MLi.sub.3PO.sub.2N.sub.2:Eu, MLiMg.sub.2PN.sub.4:Eu, MLi.sub.2AlPN.sub.4:Eu, M.sub.2Li.sub.5P.sub.3N.sub.8:Eu, MLi.sub.2Al.sub.3PN.sub.6:Eu, MLi.sub.2Be.sub.2P.sub.2N.sub.6:Eu, MLi.sub.4P.sub.2N.sub.4:Eu, M.sub.2AlPSi.sub.3N.sub.8:Eu, M.sub.3P.sub.6O.sub.6N.sub.8:Eu (M=Ca, Sr, Ba).

Method

[0029] Previously, nitridophosphates, including nitridophosphate phosphors could only be synthesized by applying high ammonia gas pressures, by using ammonothermal synthesis conditions, and/or under nitrogen pressures exceeding 1 GPa in multianvil-type presses, with the resulting sample volumes not exceeding a few cm.sup.3. Using such methods, synthesis of nitridophosphates was limited to a small scale and costs were high, limiting their potential commercial applications. The method disclosed herein allows for the cost effective, large scale synthesis of nitridophosphate phosphors.

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a method 100 for commercial scale production of nitridophosphates, including nitridophosphate phosphors. At S110, the nitridophosphate precursor materials are combined to form a precursor mixture. Such nitridophosphate precursor materials may include a metal source material for M, a phosphorous source material for P, and a nitrogen source material for N, and may further include an oxygen (when y>0 in the desired nitridophosphate), an aluminum and/or silicon source material (for A, when q>0) in the desired nitridophosphate), a halide source material (for X, when z>0 in the desired nitridophosphate). When the desired compound is a nitridophosphate phosphor, a dopant source material for D is also included in the precursor mixture.

[0031] Metal source materials may include, for example, metal azides, metal nitrides, metal hydrides, and/or metal halides.

[0032] Phosphorus source materials may include, for example, elemental phosphor, such as red phosphor, as well as PN.sub.4, PON, and/or P.sub.3N.sub.5. It was an unexpected result that the method disclosed herein can successfully synthesize nitridophosphate compounds using elemental (red) phosphor as the phosphorous precursor source material. Use of triphosphorous pentanitride, P.sub.3N.sub.5, as the phosphorus precursor source material may be limited because synthesis of P.sub.3N.sub.5 may be difficult to achieve in commercial quantities.

[0033] The nitrogen source material may be provided as the counter ion with the metal source material compound, for instance with a metal azide or metal nitride, and/or in the compound with the phosphorous source material, for instance with HPN.sub.2, HP.sub.4N.sub.7, PON, and/or P.sub.3N.sub.5. The nitrogen source may also be nitrogen gas.

[0034] When y>0, an oxygen source material may be provided as part of the phosphorous source material compound and/or nitrogen source material compound, e.g. PON and/or phosphates such Li.sub.3PO.sub.4, (NH.sub.4).sub.2HPO.sub.4, NH.sub.4H.sub.2PO.sub.4, CaHPO.sub.4, SrHPO.sub.4, BaHlPO.sub.4.

[0035] When q>0, an aluminum source material and/or silicon source material may be provided as, for example, metallic Al, AlN, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, AlF.sub.3, metallic Si, Si(NH).sub.2, Si.sub.3N.sub.4, SiO.sub.2 and/or SiO.

[0036] When z>0, a halide source material may be provided as the halide counter ion with, for example, the metal source material compound, e.g., metal halide, and/or as a halide of the dopant source.

[0037] The dopant source material may be, for example EuCl.sub.2, Eu.sub.2O.sub.3, EuF.sub.3, EuCl.sub.3, EuF.sub.2, CeO.sub.2, CeF.sub.3.

[0038] The precursor source materials may be mixed using solid state methods known to persons having ordinary skill in the art. For example, the powders of the precursor source materials may be combined and milled together to form a precursor mixture.

[0039] At S120 of FIG. 1, the mixture of precursor materials are placed into a gas pressure furnace. Oxygen and any other gasses are removed from the gas pressure furnace by purging with nitrogen gas. The precursor materials in the gas furnace are heated under nitrogen gas at a moderate, isostatic gas pressure. The nitrogen gas partial pressures used for forming the nitridophosphate compounds may be in range of the 2-300 MPa. The gas used in the pressurizing gas furnace during the reaction may be 100% nitrogen, but may also include an inert gas, such as argon, or more rarely helium. For nitridation reactions, it is sometimes useful to “dilute” the nitrogen gas with argon gas to slow down the highly exothermic reaction, in which case a mixture of nitrogen gas and inert gas may be used. The overall pressure of such a mixture of nitrogen gas and inert gas used in the reaction may be in the range of 2-500 MPa, with the nitrogen gas partial pressure ranging from 2-300 MPa and the inert gas partial pressure ranging from 10-200 MPa. The temperatures of the furnace used for forming nitridophosphate compounds may be in the range of 800-1300° C.

[0040] The nitrogen pressure used in the hot isostatic pressing process needs to be high enough to prevent decomposition of precursor source materials, such as nitrides, under the heating, and to stabilize materials during synthesis. Conventionally, gas pressure furnaces use Argon gas, but the inventors have found that use of nitrogen gas allows the precursors to be heated, and the nitridophosphates to form from the precursors materials under the heat. At higher temperatures in the furnace, higher nitrogen pressures are used to form the nitridophosphate compounds, because the higher nitrogen pressures increase the decomposition temperature of the precursor materials, allowing higher temperatures to be used. Additionally, the decomposition temperature of the formed nitridophosphate phosphor is increased.

[0041] The amount of time necessary to form the nitridophosphate compounds under the hot, isostatic pressure reaction conditions varies with the nitridophosphate compound being synthesized, but may be between 2 to 96 hours.

[0042] Any gas pressure furnace that is able to provide heat and nitrogen gas at the required temperatures and pressures may be used. For example, commercially available hot, isostatic pressure (HIP) furnaces, such as HIP graphite furnaces may be used to form nitridophosphate compounds using the method as disclosed herein.

[0043] The method for synthesizing nitridophosphates disclosed herein has at least two advantages over conventional methods. First of all, unlike conventional methods of synthesizing nitridophosphate compounds, the method disclosed herein allows for large amounts of nitridophosphate compounds to be synthesized, which allows for commercial use of such compounds in, for example, pcLEDs. For instance, the method has allowed 12 kg of nitridophosphate to be synthesized in a single batch (one run). This makes synthesis of nitridophosphate compounds cost effective. Secondly, it was an unexpected result that the moderate nitrogen pressures can be used for synthesis of nitridophosphates. Conventional methods for synthesizing nitridophosphates may typically use nitrogen pressures exceeding 1 GPa in multianvil type presses. The MPa range pressures used in the method disclosed herein are in general three orders of magnitude less than conventionally used to form the nitridophosphates. The pressure used in the method is thus significantly less than 1 GPa, and may be less than 300 MPa, for example, less than 150 MPa and down to 20 MPa

[0044] As S130, after returning the furnace to room temperature and pressure, the synthesized nitridophosphate may be removed from the furnace. The synthesized nitridophosphate is a crystalline material. Nitridophosphate phosphors synthesized may be used to form pcLEDs as disclosed below.

Example Reactions

[0045] The novel phosphor Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu may be synthesized by any one of the three following reactions ((a)-(c)) using the given pressure ranges (MPa), maximum temperature (° C.), and dwell times in the furnace (h=hours) (“x” indicates stoichiometric amounts in (a) and (b)): [0046] (a) 2-x Ca.sub.3N.sub.2+P.sub.3N.sub.5+x EuCl.sub.2.fwdarw.3 Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu (50-150 MPa N.sub.2, 1000-1200° C., 10-20 h) [0047] (b) 4-x Ca(N.sub.3).sub.2+2 P.sub.red+x EuCl.sub.2.fwdarw.2 Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu+9 N.sub.2 (150 MPa N.sub.2, 1100-1200° C., 20-40 h) [0048] (c) Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu+2 CaCl.sub.2)+NH.sub.4Cl.fwdarw.Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu+3 SrCl2+4 α-HPN.sub.2 (150 MPa N.sub.2, 1000° C., 10 h) As another example, the novel phosphors M.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10X:Eu (M=Sr, Ba; X=Cl, Br) may be synthesized by either of the following two reactions ((d)-(e)) using the given pressure ranges (MPa), maximum temperature (° C.), and dwell times in the furnace (h=hours) (“x” indicates stoichiometric amounts in (d) and (e)): [0049] (d) 15-x M(N.sub.3).sub.2+10 P.sub.3N.sub.5+3 MX.sub.2+x EuCl.sub.2.fwdarw.6 M.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10X:Eu+40 N.sub.2 (150 MPa N.sub.2, 1000° C., 10 h) [0050] (e) 5-x M(N.sub.3).sub.2+10 P+MX.sub.2+x EuCl.sub.2.fwdarw.2 M.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10X:Eu+5 N.sub.2 (150 MPa N.sub.2, 1100° C., 20 h)

[0051] Non-commercial precursors like P.sub.3N.sub.5 or M(N.sub.3).sub.2 used for the reactions listed above can be synthesized according to literature methods (see for example supporting information of Marchuk and Schnick, Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu.sup.2+: A Natural-White-Light Single Emitter with a Zeolite Structure Type, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54, 2383-2387), and as provided in more detail in the specific examples below.

[0052] Although the examples provided herein use Eu.sup.2+ as the dopant, if the Eu.sup.2+ luminescence is known for a given host lattice, the Ce.sup.3+ emission is also known. This is because the Stokes shift is a property of the host lattice. Thus, if an Eu.sup.2+ phosphor emits in the red (green) spectral range, the Ce.sup.3+ phosphor in the same host emits in the green yellow (blue) spectral range.

Examples

Example 1: Synthesis of Ca.SUB.2.PN.SUB.3.:Eu(3%) Using P.SUB.3.N.SUB.5 .Source Material

[0053] To form the Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu, 32.3 mg (0.22 mmole) Ca.sub.3N.sub.2 (>99%, Taiheiyo Cement Corporation), 17.73 mg (0.11 mmole) P.sub.3N.sub.5 (synthesized as described below) and 1.47 mg (>0.01 mmole) EuCl.sub.2 (99.9%, Strem Chemicals) were mixed and sintered under N.sub.2 atmosphere at 1500 bar and 1200° C. for 20 h in a hot isostatic gas pressure furnace. After cooling to room temperature and returning to atmospheric pressures, crystalline Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu(3%) was obtained.

[0054] The P.sub.3N.sub.5 source material was synthesized as follows: P.sub.4S.sub.10 (ca. 8.0 g, Sigma Aldrich 99.99%) was treated in a well dried tube furnace lined with a silica tube (Ø=5 cm) by a constant flow of dried NH.sub.3 (≈3.6 1/h, Air Liquide 5.0). Initially, the apparatus was purged with NH.sub.3 for 4 h and then heated up to 850° C. within 3 h. The temperature was kept for 4 h and then decreased to room temperature within 3 h again. By flushing with Ar for 1 h the remaining NH.sub.3 was removed.

Example 2: Synthesis of Ca.SUB.2.PN.SUB.3.:Eu(3%) Using Elemental Phosphor Source Material

[0055] To form the Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu, 64.8 mg (0.52 mmole) Ca(N.sub.3).sub.2 (synthesized as described below), 8.1 mg (0.26 mmole) P.sub.red (≥99.999%, ChemPur), and 3.45 mg (0.02 mmole) EuCl.sub.2 (99.9%, Strem Chemicals) were mixed and sintered under N.sub.2 Atmosphere at 1500 bar and 1200° C. for 20 h in a hot isostatic gas pressure furnace. After cooling to room temperature and returning to atmospheric pressures, crystalline Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu(3%) was obtained.

[0056] To form the Ca(N.sub.3).sub.2 the following method for synthesizing azides of Ca, Sr, and Br was used: Alkaline earth azides M(N.sub.3).sub.2 (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) were synthesized via cation exchanger (Amberlyst 15). Diluted HN.sub.3 was formed in situ by passing an aqueous solution of NaN.sub.3 (Acros Organics, 99%, extra pure) through the cation exchanger. The acidic solution of HN.sub.3 was dropped carefully into a stirring suspension of MCO.sub.3 (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) in H.sub.2O. In the case of Ca(N.sub.3).sub.2, CaCO.sub.3 (Merck, analytical grade) was used. The end of the reaction was indicated by the liquid phase, when turning completely clear. Excess of alkaline earth carbonates was filtered off and the filtrate was restricted with a rotary evaporator (50 mbar, 40° C.). The azides were obtained as colorless powders and were recrystallized from acetone for purification.

[0057] FIG. 2 is a scanning electron microscope (“SEM”) image of the Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu obtained from Example 2. FIG. 2 shows bacillary particles, and the obtained Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu can be ground into powder form.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows powder X-ray diffraction (“PXRD”) pattern (Cu Kα radiation) of the isolated obtained Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu powder. Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmca (No. 64) with cell parameters of a=5.1908, b=10.3132 and c=11.2845 Å. The Rietveld refinement of the obtained Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu luminescent material is also shown in FIG. 3, with the reflection positions (301) of the obtained Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu.

[0059] Table 1 summarizes the atomic parameters of the obtained Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu structure. The “Atom” in Table 1 is the species that occupies a lattice site with a specific Wyckoff position (“Wyck.”). The headings “x/a,” “y/b,” and “z/c” in Table 1 refer to the coordinates of the atomic positions in the crystal lattice that is defined by the lattice constants a, b and c. In the orthorhombic lattice system a≠b≠c and α≠β≠γ=120°.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Atomic parameters Atom Ox. Wyck. Site S.O.F. x/a y/b z/c U [Å.sup.2] Ca1 8f m.. 0 0.05239(3)  0.35715(3) Ca2 8f m.. 0 0.36240(3)  0.42593(3) P1 8f m.. 0 0.24405(3)  0.16524(3) N1 8f m.. 0 0.33923(12)  0.05050(11) N2 8f m.. 0 0.08840(11)  0.13966(11) N3 8e .2. 1/4 0.28775(12) 1/4

[0060] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the crystal structure of Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3, which, as seen in FIG. 4, is built up from infinite zweier-single-chains of vertex-sharing PN.sub.4 tetrahedra.

[0061] Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (“EDS”) scans of the obtained Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu show a Ca:P:N ratio of 1.80:1:3,36.

[0062] FIG. 5 shows the normalized excitation 501 and emission 502 spectra of the obtained Ca.sub.2PN.sub.3:Eu.

Example 3: Synthesis of Sr.SUB.3.P.SUB.5.N.SUB.10.Cl:Eu(3%) Using P.SUB.3.N.SUB.5 .Source Material

[0063] To form the Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu, 43.40 mg (0.25 mmole) Sr(N.sub.3).sub.2 (synthesized as described above with respect to Example 2, where MCO.sub.3 was SrCO.sub.3 (99.995%, Sigma-Aldrich)), 8.02 mg (0.05 mmole) SrCl2 (>99.99%, Sigma-Aldrich), 27.47 mg (0.17 mmole) P.sub.3N.sub.5 (synthesized as described above with respect to Example 1), and 1.67 mg (˜0.1 mmole) EuCl.sub.2 (99.9%, Strem Chemicals) were mixed and sintered under N.sub.2 Atmosphere at 1500 bar and 1000° C. for 10 h in a hot isostatic gas pressure furnace. After cooling to room temperature and returning to atmospheric pressures, crystalline Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu(3%) was obtained.

Example 4: Synthesis of Sr.SUB.3.P.SUB.5.N.SUB.10.Cl:Eu(3%) Using Elemental Phosphorus Source Material

[0064] To form the Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu, 60.0 mg (0.35 mmole) Sr(N.sub.3).sub.2 (synthesized as described above with respect to Example 2, where MCO.sub.3 is SrCO.sub.3 (99.995%, Sigma-Aldrich)), 11.08 mg (0.07 mmole) SrCl2 (>99.99%, Sigma-Aldrich), 21.66 mg (0.70 mmole) P.sub.red (≥99.999%, ChemPur), and 2.34 mg (0.01 mmole) EuCl.sub.2 (99.9%, Strem Chemicals) were mixed and sintered under N.sub.2 Atmosphere at 1500 bar and 1100° C. for 20 h in a hot isostatic gas pressure furnace. After cooling to room temperature and returning to atmospheric pressures, crystalline Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu(3%) was obtained.

[0065] FIG. 6 is a scanning electron microscope image of the Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu obtained from Example 4 (bar length, 5 m). FIG. 6 shows block-like particles of the obtained Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu, which can be ground into a powder form.

[0066] FIG. 7 shows powder X-ray diffraction pattern (Cu Kα radiation) of the isolated obtained Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu powder. Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62) with cell parameters of a=12.2410, b=12.9530 and c=13.4270 Å. The Rietveld refinement of the obtained Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu luminescent material is also shown in FIG. 7, with the reflection positions (701) of the obtained Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu.

[0067] Table 2 summarizes the atomic parameters of the obtained Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu structure. The “Atom” in Table 2 is the species that occupies a lattice site with a specific Wyckoff position (“Wyck.”). The heading “S.O.F.” means the site occupation factor for split positions. The headings “x/a,” “y/b,” and “z/c” in Table 2 refer to the coordinates of the atomic positions in the crystal lattice that is defined by the lattice constants a, b and c. In the orthorhombic lattice system a≠b≠c and α≠β≠γ≠120°.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Atomic parameters Atom Ox. Wyck. Site S.O.F. x/a y/b z/c U [Å.sup.2] Sr1 4c .m. 0.33172(5)  1/4 0.02205(4)  Sr2 4c .m. 0.04468(5)  1/4 0.24282(4)  Sr3 8d 1 0.28055(3)  0.01906(3)  0.32357(3)  Sr4 4c .m. 0.03822(8)  1/4 0.73014(6)  Sr5 4c .m. 0.718 0.33168(6)  1/4 0.58681(6)  Sr6 4c .m. 0.279 0.35423(16) 1/4 0.49125(16) Cl1 4c .m. 0.29610(13) 1/4 0.26353(12) Cl2 4c .m. 0.27300(16) 1/4 0.80318(13) P1 8d 1 0.02673(7)  0.01216(7)  0.63734(7)  P2 8d 1 0.24937(8)  0.50606(7)  0.07218(7)  P3 8d 1 0.07190(7)  0.13265(7)  0.01781(7)  P4 8d 1 0.03886(7)  0.53423(7)  0.15045(7)  P5 8d 1 0.09581(7)  0.13385(7)  0.47286(7)  N1 4c .m. 0.0791(4) 1/4 0.4335(4) N2 4c .m. 0.0953(4) 1/4 0.0528(4) N3 8d 1 0.0737(4) 0.0680(2) 0.3701(2) N4 8d 1 0.3582(4) 0.0479(4) 0.1173(2) N5 8d 1 0.1704(4) 0.5417(2) 0.1652(2) N6 8d 1 0.0134(4) 0.1153(2) 0.5665(2) N7 8d 1 0.2218(4) 0.1090(2) 0.5046(2) N8 8d 1 0.0290(2) 0.0581(2) 0.7498(2) N9 8d 1 0.0016(4) 0.6333(2) 0.0822(2) N10 8d 1 0.0048(4) 0.0805(4) 0.1117(2) N11 8d 1 0.3101(4) 0.5768(2) 0.4988(2)

[0068] Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy scans of the obtained Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu show a Sr:P:N:C1 ratio of 2.55:4.64:9.81:1.

[0069] FIG. 8 is an illustration of the crystal structure of Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu, which, as seen in FIG. 8, is built up from all-side vertex-sharing PN.sub.4 tetrahedra. The framework topology is analogous to that of JOZ zeolite structure type. This structure type shows achter-ring channels, which are alternately filled up by Sr and Cl ions.

[0070] FIG. 9 shows the normalized excitation 901 and emission 902 spectra of the obtained Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu.

Example 5: Synthesis of Sr.SUB.3.P.SUB.5.N.SUB.10.Br:Eu Using P.SUB.3.N.SUB.5 .Source Material

[0071] To form the Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu, 40.38 mg (0.24 mmole) Sr(N.sub.3).sub.2 (synthesized as described above with respect to Example 2, where MCO.sub.3 was SrCO.sub.3 (99.995%, Sigma-Aldrich)), 11.64 mg (0.05 mmole) SrBr.sub.2 (99.995%, Sigma-Aldrich), 25.55 mg (0.16 mmole) P.sub.3N.sub.5 (synthesized as described above with respect to Example 1), and 1.57 mg (>0.01 mmole) EuCl.sub.2 (99.9%, Strem Chemicals) were mixed and sintered under N.sub.2 Atmosphere at 1500 bar and 1000° C. for 10 h in a hot isostatic gas pressure furnace. After cooling to room temperature and returning to atmospheric pressures, crystalline Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu was obtained.

Example 6: Synthesis of Sr.SUB.3.P.SUB.5.N.SUB.10.Br:Eu Using Elemental Phosphorus Source Material

[0072] To form the Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu, 60.0 mg (0.35 mmole) Sr(N.sub.3).sub.2 (synthesized as disclosed above with respect to Example 2, where MCO.sub.3 was SrCO.sub.3 (99.995%, Sigma-Aldrich)), 17.30 mg (0.07 mmole) SrBr.sub.2 (99.995%, Sigma-Aldrich), 21.65 mg (0.70 mmole) P.sub.red (≥99.999%, ChemPur), and 2.34 mg (>0.01 mmole) EuCl.sub.2 (99.9%, Strem Chemicals) were mixed and sintered under N.sub.2 Atmosphere at 1500 bar and 1100° C. for 20 h in a hot isostatic gas pressure furnace. After cooling to room temperature and returning to atmospheric pressures, crystalline Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu was obtained.

[0073] FIG. 10 is a scanning electron microscope image of the Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu obtained from Example 6 (bar length, 5 m). FIG. 10 shows block-like particles of the obtained Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu, which can be ground into a powder form.

[0074] FIG. 11 shows powder X-ray diffraction pattern (Cu Kα radiation) of the isolated obtained Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu powder. Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62) with cell parameters of a=12.2970, b=12.9896 and c=13.4585 Å. The Rietveld refinement of the obtained Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu luminescent material is also shown in FIG. 11, with the reflection positions (1101) of the obtained Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu.

[0075] Table 3 summarizes the atomic parameters of the obtained Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu structure. The “Atom” in Table 3 is the species that occupies a lattice site with a specific Wyckoff position (“Wyck.”). The heading “S.O.F.” means the site occupation factor for split positions. The headings “x/a,” “y/b,” and “z/c” in Table 3 refer to the coordinates of the atomic positions in the crystal lattice that is defined by the lattice constants a, b and c. In the orthorhombic lattice system a≠b≠c and α≠β≠γ≠120°.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Atomic parameters Atom Ox. Wyck. Site S.O.F. x/a y/b z/c B [Å.sup.2] Sr01 4c .m. 0.3331(4) 1/4 0.0261(4) Sr02 4c .m. 0.0452(2) 1/4 0.2442(4) Sr03 8d 1 0.27819(16) 0.01360(17)  0.32464(16) Sr04 4c .m. 0.0345(4) 1/4 0.7302(2) Sr05 4c .m. 0.653 0.3337(4) 1/4 0.5731(4) Sr06 4c .m. 0.347 0.3487(7) 1/4 0.4936(8) Br0A 4c .m. 0.2964(4) 1/4 0.2647(4) Br0C 4c 1 0.2734(4) 1/4 0.8039(4) P006 8d 1 0.0270(5) 0.0099(7)  0.6367(4) P007 8d 1 0.2533(7) 0.5062(7)  0.0763(4) P008 8d 1 0.0741(5) 0.1305(5)  0.0188(4) P009 8d 1 0.0334(5) 0.5333(5)  0.1481(5) P00B 8d 1 0.0957(7) 0.1362(5)  0.4746(5) N00E 4c 1  0.082(2) 1/4  0.4329(17) N00F 4c .m.  0.0896(18) 1/4  0.0542(15) N00G 8d 1  0.0652(14) 0.0680(13)  0.3766(11) N00H 8d 1  0.3566(13) 0.0472(14)  0.1315(11) N00I 8d 1  0.1751(13) 0.5385(11)  0.1659(11) N00J 8d 1  0.0160(14) 0.1159(13)  0.5678(13) N00K 8d 1  0.2126(15) 0.1053(13)  0.5038(13) N00L 8d 1  0.0243(11) 0.062(1)  0.7512(15) N00M 8d 1  0.5010(13) 0.1273(13)  0.5737(13) N00N 8d 1  0.0092(13) 0.0816(14)  0.1085(11) N00O 8d 1  0.2001(13) 0.0825(13)  0.0031(13)

[0076] Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy scans of the obtained Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu show a Sr:P:N:Br ratio of 2.72:4.66:7.01:1.

[0077] FIG. 12 shows the normalized excitation 1201 and emission 1202 spectra of the obtained Sr.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu.

Example 7: Synthesis of Ba.SUB.3.P.SUB.5.N.SUB.10.Cl:Eu Using P.SUB.3.N.SUB.5 .Source Material

[0078] To form the Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu, 44.73 mg (0.20 mmole) Ba(N.sub.3).sub.2 (synthesized as described above with respect to Example 2, where MCO.sub.3 was BaCO.sub.3 (99.8%, Grüssing)), 8.41 mg (0.04 mmole) BaCl.sub.2 (99.999%, Sigma-Aldrich), 21.95 mg (0.13 mmole) P.sub.3N.sub.5 (synthesized as described above with respect to Example 1), and 1.35 mg (>0.01 mmole) EuCl.sub.2 (99.9%, Strem Chemicals) were mixed and sintered under N.sub.2 Atmosphere at 1500 bar and 1000° C. for 10 h in a hot isostatic gas pressure furnace. After cooling to room temperature and returning to atmospheric pressures, crystalline Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu was obtained.

Example 8: Synthesis of Ba.SUB.3.P.SUB.5.N.SUB.10.Cl:Eu Using Elemental Phosphorus Source Material

[0079] To form Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu, 35.00 mg (0.16 mmole) Ba(N.sub.3).sub.2 (synthesized as described above with respect to Example 2, where MCO.sub.3 was BaCO.sub.3 (99.8%, Grüssing)), 6.58 mg (0.03 mmole) BaCl.sub.2 (99.999%, Sigma-Aldrich), 9.79 mg (0.32 mmole) P.sub.red (≥99.999%, ChemPur), and 1.06 mg (>0.01 mmole) EuCl.sub.2 (99.9%, Strem Chemicals) were mixed and sintered under N.sub.2 Atmosphere at 1500 bar and 1100° C. for 20 h in a hot isostatic gas pressure furnace. After cooling to room temperature and returning to atmospheric pressures, crystalline Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu was obtained.

[0080] FIG. 13 is a scanning electron microscope image of the Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu obtained from Example 8 (bar length, 5 m). FIG. 13 shows block-like particles of the obtained Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu, which can be ground into a powder form.

[0081] FIG. 14 shows powder X-ray diffraction pattern (Cu Kα radiation) of the isolated obtained Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu powder. Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62) with cell parameters of a=12.5458, b=13.2142 and c=13.7857 Å. The Rietveld refinement of the obtained Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu luminescent material is also shown in FIG. 14, with the reflection positions (1401) of the obtained Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu.

[0082] Table 4 summarizes the atomic parameters of the obtained Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu structure. The “Atom” in Table 4 is the species that occupies a lattice site with a specific Wyckoff position (“Wyck.”). The heading “S.O.F.” means the site occupation factor for split positions. The headings “x/a,” “y/b,” and “z/c” in Table 4 refer to the coordinates of the atomic positions in the crystal lattice that is defined by the lattice constants a, b and c. In the orthorhombic lattice system a≠b≠c and α=β=γ=120°.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Atomic parameters Atom Wyck. Site Ox. S.O.F. x/a y/b z/c B [Å.sup.2] Ba1 8d 1 0.26849(12) 0.00333(18) 0.32335(9) Ba2 4c .m. 0.0339(3) 1/4 0.7320(3) Ba3 4c .m. 0.0405(3) 1/4 0.2421(3) Ba4 4c .m. 0.3364(3) 1/4 0.0303(3) Ba5 4c .m. 0.3410(3) 1/4 0.5343(3) Cl1 4c .m. 0.2769(9) 1/4 0.7994(9) Cl2 4c .m. 0.2908(8) 1/4 0.2835(8) P1 8d 1 0.02966 0.00322 0.63972 P2 8d 1 0.03587 0.53105 0.14636 P3 8d 1 0.07521 0.13292 0.01483 P4 8d 1 0.09295 0.13100 0.48076 P5 8d 1 0.24929 0.50182 0.07337 N1 8d 1 0.00510 0.07930 0.10160 N2 8d 1 0.01350 0.10310 0.56950 N3 8d 1 0.02010 0.04570 0.74870 N4 8d 1 0.05990 0.08360 0.37470 N5 8d 1 0.16490 0.54580 0.15250 N6 8d 1 0.19540 0.08590 0.00710 N7 8d 1 0.21430 0.09370 0.50160 N8 8d 1 0.35160 0.04710 0.12810 N9 8d 1 0.51620 0.12900 0.58950 N10 4c .m. 0.08500 1/4 0.04840 N11 4c .m. 0.07700 1/4 0.45300

[0083] Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy scans of the obtained Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu show a Ba:P:N:Cl ratio of 2.83:4.81:8.43:1.

[0084] FIG. 15 shows the normalized excitation 1501 and emission 1502 spectra of the obtained Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Cl:Eu.

Example 9: Synthesis of Ba.SUB.3.P.SUB.5.N.SUB.10.Br:Eu Using P.SUB.3.N.SUB.5 .Source Material

[0085] To form the Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu, 42.20 mg (0.19 mmole) Ba(N.sub.3).sub.2 (synthesized as described above with respect to Example 2, where MCO.sub.3 was BaCO.sub.3 (99.8%, Grüssing)), 11.33 mg (0.04 mmole) BaBr.sub.2 (99.999%, Sigma-Aldrich), 20.71 mg (0.13 mmole) P.sub.3N.sub.5 (synthesized as described above with respect to Example 1), and 1.27 mg (>0.01 mmole) EuCl.sub.2 (99.9%, Strem Chemicals) were mixed and sintered under N.sub.2 Atmosphere at 1500 bar and 1000° C. for 10 h in a hot isostatic gas pressure furnace. After cooling to room temperature and returning to atmospheric pressures, crystalline Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu was obtained.

Example 10: Synthesis of Ba.SUB.3.P.SUB.5.N.SUB.10.Br:Eu Using Elemental Phosphorus Source Material

[0086] To form the Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu, 35.00 mg (0.16 mmole) Ba(N.sub.3).sub.2 (synthesized as described above with respect to Example 2, where MCO.sub.3 is BaCO.sub.3 (99.8%, Grüssing)), 9.40 mg (0.03 mmole) BaBr.sub.2 (99.999%, Sigma-Aldrich), 9.79 mg (0.32 mmole) P.sub.red (≥99.999%, ChemPur), and 1.06 mg (>0.01 mmole) EuCl.sub.2 (99.9%, Strem Chemicals) were mixed and sintered under N.sub.2 Atmosphere at 1500 bar and 1100° C. for 20 h in a hot isostatic gas pressure furnace. After cooling to room temperature and returning to atmospheric pressures, crystalline Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu was obtained.

[0087] FIG. 16 is a scanning electron microscope image of the Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu obtained from Example 10 (bar length, 5 m). FIG. 16 shows block-like particles of the obtained Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu, which can be ground into a powder form.

[0088] FIG. 17 shows powder X-ray diffraction pattern (Cu Kα radiation) of the isolated obtained Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu powder. Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62) with cell parameters of a=12.5844, b=13.2290 and c=13.8106 Å. The Rietveld refinement of the obtained Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu luminescent material is also shown in FIG. 17, with the reflection positions (1701) of the obtained Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu.

[0089] Table 5 summarizes the atomic parameters of the obtained Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu structure. The “Atom” in Table 5 is the species that occupies a lattice site with a specific Wyckoff position (“Wyck.”). The heading “S.O.F.” means the site occupation factor for split positions. The headings “x/a,” “y/b,” and “z/c” in Table 5 refer to the coordinates of the atomic positions in the crystal lattice that is defined by the lattice constants a, b and c. In the orthorhombic lattice system a≠b≠c and α=β=γ=120°.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Atomic parameters Atom Wyck. Site Ox. S.O.F. x/a y/b z/c B [Å.sup.2] Ba1 8d 1 0.2678(2) 0.0017(4) 0.32348(13) Ba2 4c .m. 0.0328(4) 1/4 0.7287(4) Ba3 4c .m. 0.0398(4) 1/4 0.2382(4) Ba4 4c .m. 0.3382(4) 1/4 0.0331(4) Ba5 4c .m. 0.3400(4) 1/4 0.5394(4) Br1 4c .m. 0.2716(5) 1/4 0.8015(5) Br2 4c .m. 0.2961(5) 1/4 0.2813(5) P1 8d 1 0.0342(9) 0.5263(9) 0.1444(9) P2 8d 1 0.0724(8) 0.1328(9) 0.0201(8) P3 8d 1 0.0882(9) 0.1297(9) 0.4815(8) P4 8d 1 0.2455(13) 0.000(2) 0.0747(6) P5 8d 1 0.0313(8) 0.0009(10) 0.6365(9) N1 8d 1 0.00560 0.07910 0.09890 N2 8d 1 0.01180 0.09780 0.57070 N3 8d 1 0.01770 0.04150 0.74880 N4 8d 1 0.05600 0.09220 0.37610 N5 8d 1 0.16430 0.54500 0.15170 N6 8d 1 0.19500 0.08810 0.00620 N7 8d 1 0.21190 0.09000 0.50160 N8 8d 1 0.35010 0.04820 0.12990 N9 8d 1 0.51760 0.12730 0.59190 N10 4c .m. 0.08380 1/4 0.04360 N11 4c .m. 0.08640 1/4 0.45290

[0090] Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy scans of the obtained Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu show a Ba:P:N:Br ratio of 3.05:4.97:8.20:1.

[0091] FIG. 18 shows the normalized excitation 1801 and emission 1802 spectra of the obtained Ba.sub.3P.sub.5N.sub.10Br:Eu.

[0092] Illumination Devices Including the Nitridophosphate Phosphors FIG. 19 illustrates a wavelength converting structure 1908 that includes at least one of the disclose nitridophosphate phosphor materials. Wavelength converting structure 1908 is used in an illumination device 1901. The light source 1900 may be an LED or any other suitable source including, as examples, resonant cavity light emitting diodes (RCLEDs) and vertical cavity laser diodes (VCSELs). Light source 1900 emits a first light 1904. A portion of the first light 1904 is incident upon a wavelength converting structure 1908. The wavelength converting structure 1908 absorbs the first light 1904 and emits second light 1912. The wavelength converting structure 1908 may be structured such that little or no first light is part of the final emission spectrum from the device, though this is not required.

[0093] The wavelength converting structure 1908 described with respect to FIG. 19 can be manufactured, for example, in powder form, in ceramic form, or in any other suitable form. The wavelength converting structure 1908 may be formed into one or more structures that are formed separately from and can be handled separately from the light source, such as a prefabricated glass or ceramic tile, or may be formed into a structure that is formed in situ with the light source, such as a conformal or other coating formed on or above the source.

[0094] The wavelength converting structure 1908 may be, for example, nitridophosphate phosphor powders that are dispersed for example in a transparent material, such as a silicone material, a glass matrix, a ceramic matrix, or any other suitable material or structure. Nitridophosphate phosphor dispersed in a transparent material may be formed directly on the light source, or, for example, may formed into a matrix that may be singulated or formed into a tile that is then disposed over a light source.