Si3N4 modified Li2Sr0.995SiO4:0.005Eu(2+) (Li2Sr0.995SiO4-3x/2Nx:0.005Eu(2+)) phosphors were synthesized with the conventional solid-state reaction in the reduced atmosphere. The crystal structure and vibrational modes were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering spectroscopy and Rietveld crystal structure refinement. Photoluminescence (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra showed that Li2Sr0.995SiO4-3x/2Nx:0.005Eu(2+) powder exhibited a broad yellow emission band centered at 560 nm under the excitation of 460 nm visible light, due to the 4f(6)5d(1) -> 4f(7) transition of Eu2+. The partial nitridation of Li2Sr0.995SiO4-3x/2Nx:0.005Eu(2+) (x=0.01) phosphors led to a large enhancement in the luminescence intensity, as much as 190%. At the same time, the fluorescence decay behavior curves further showed that the photoluminescence efficiencies of Li2Sr0.995SiO4-3x/2Nx:0.005Eu(2+) phosphors were enhanced by addition of Si3N4. The temperature quenching characteristics confirmed that the oxynitride based Li2Sr0.995SiO4-3x/2Nx:0.005Eu(2+) showed slightly higher stability. It is implied that Li2Sr0.995SiO4-3x/2Nx:0.005Eu(2+) phosphors had a possible potential application on white LEDs to match blue light chips. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.