Tuning of Photoluminescence by Cation Nanosegregation in the (CaMg)x(NaSc)1-xSi2O6 Solid Solution

Controlled photoluminescence tuning is important for the optimization and modification of phosphor materials. Herein we report an isostructural solid solution of (CaMg)x(NaSc)1–xSi2O6 (0 < x < 1) in which cation nanosegregation leads to the presence of two dilute Eu2+ centers. The distinct nanodomains of isostructural (CaMg)Si2O6 and (NaSc)Si2O6 contain a proportional number of Eu2+ ions with unique, independent spectroscopic signatures. Density functional theory calculations provided a theoretical understanding of the nanosegregation and indicated that the homogeneous solid solution is energetically unstable. It is shown that nanosegregation allows predictive control of color rendering and therefore provides a new method of phosphor development.