A review on inorganic phosphor materials for white LEDs

White LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are promising new-generation light sources which can replace conventional lamps due to their high reliability, low energy consumption and eco-friendly effects. This paper briefly reviews recent progress of oxy/nitride host phosphor and quantum dot materials with broad excitation band characteristics for phosphor- converted white LEDs. Among oxy/nitride host materials, M2Si5N8 :E u 2+ , MAlSiN3 :E u 2+ M-SiON (M = Ca, Sr, Ba), α/β- SiAlON : Eu 2+ are excellent phosphors for white LED using blue-emitting chip. They have very broad excitation bands in the range of 440~460 nm and exhibit emission from green to red. In this paper, In this review we focus on recent developments in the crystal structure, luminescence and applications of the oxy/nitride phosphors for white LEDs. In addition, the application prospects and current trends of research and development of quantum dot phosphors are also discussed.