Temperature dependence of luminescence color of Mn2+-doped ZnCN2 phosphor

•Mn doped ZnCN2 phosphors were prepared by ammonia nitridation method.•Three luminescence bands originate from the isolated Mn2+, anion vacancy and Mn-Mn pair in the ZnCN2.•The intensities of the luminescence bands had different temperature dependencies.•The total luminescence color changed from orange at 80 K to yellow green at 500 K.