Boron nitride/ZEOlite composite based UV LED prototype for the production of white LIGHT – ZEOLIGHT

The energy efficient production of white light is a major technological issue for industrial, public and domestic use. Far UltraViolet Light Emitting Diodes with characteristic low energy consumption are needed for the production of light covering the full visible spectrum. Due to its high band gap and record UV light emission properties, boron nitride is a material of choice for the next generation of FUV light sources. The goal of this project is to prepare BN/zeolite composites with improved and new properties compared to bulk analogs. These composites consist of BN nanowires and
nanoribbons with controlled structure confined in the 1-D, 2-D and 3-D subnanometer channels of the zeolites TON and MFI, for example, prepared bottom-up by insertion of molecular BN precursors such as ammonia borane and borazine in zeolites at high pressure. This step is followed by pyrolysis under controlled atmosphere to obtain the final composite. The structural, vibrational and optical properties of the composites (which could be doped by carbon) will be carefully characterized by x-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques. The strong confinement will provide exceptional photonic properties with a narrow emission in the FUV. The nanocomposites will then be integrated in a prototype providing a proof of principle of the FUV LED device, which will be used to produce white light using conventional phosphors. Back up options concerning the choice of materials and processes are proposed for each step on the way to this overall goal. This collaborative research proposal (PRC) is based on complementary research teams in chemistry from the Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier (ICGM) and l'Institut de Recherche sur les CERamiques (IRCER), ex-SPCTS, and physics, from the Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), which are internationally renowned in the synthesis of BN and zeolite, high pressure science, photonics, x-ray diffraction, spectroscopic methods and ab intio calculations. On a national level, the members of the three groups are leaders in the respective fields of boron nitride synthesis from molecular precursors, the pore filling of zeolites at high pressure and the photonic properties of BN structures. This naturally gave rise to this partnership at the origin of the PRC project. The partners have a strong track record of collaborations and joint publications. The principal impact of the project from the technological point of view will be the proof of principle of the FUV LED device. Such devices will be candidates for the energy-efficient production of white light and thus contribute to the reduction of energy consumption. In terms of the technological readiness level (TRL), this project starts from TRL1 and proceeds up to TRL3 with the FUV LED prototype. The applications of BN-based LEDs cover the wide range of UVC to UVA spectral regions as doping of BN permits to modulate the photoluminescence. There are thus industrial applications and partners that can be a priori targeted to continue the development of these new LEDs. Military applications for short-distance communication in atmospherically disturbed conditions can interest international companies like Thales or SAGEM. Another need is the replacement of bulky and heavy UV lamps in satellites, which should be of interest for the companies cited above or others such as EADS. For environmental, medical and industrial chemistry applications, different companies operating in these industrial sectors should be interested. When including white light production using conventional phosphors, there are a vast number of possible end users and thus we will first patent the device and then consult le Pôle Européen de la Céramique, FIST or the SATT to find partners ready to exploit the results.