A CATHODOLUMINESCENT SOL-GEL MATERIAL

Cerium activated Y2SiO4, a fast, blue emitting phosphor, was incorpora ted into a composite organic/inorganic polymeric material. The phospho r was added to an initial system of tetraethoxysilane, water (w/HNO3), methylmethacrylate and ethanol, and the mixture was then allowed to u ndergo hydrolysis and condensation. Prior to the condensation, the pho sphor settled to the bottom of the container and was firmly bonded to the surface of the resultant glass. The cathodoluminescence and the lu minescent decay of the excited phosphor were observed. The fact that t he phosphor was bound to the glass did not poison its luminescence and the decay time was found to be 75 ns.