Structure and luminescence properties of the ZnS : Cu, Al phosphor for lowvoltage excitation

The ZnS:Cu, Al phosphor has been studied for low voltage excitation field e mission devices. To improve the cathodoluminescence (CL) brightness, the ph osphor has been synthesized with iodide-type alkaline and alkali-earth meta l as fluxes. Cut and AlF3 were used as an activator and coactivator, respec tively. The phosphor has been characterized in comparison with commercially available cathode ray tubes (CRTs) phosphor and conventionally prepared on es. Newly synthesized ZnS:Cu, Al phosphor prepared with iodide-type fluxes has shown higher CL brightness than commercially available phosphor and con ventionally prepared ones. The phosphor structure has been analyzed using s canning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron m icroscopy. From the analysis, the phosphor particles were composed of cubic and hexagonal phases. The cubic phase was much more formed when iodide-typ e fluxes were used. This cubic phase helps the phosphor to have high bright ness at low voltage operations. (C) 2001 The Electrochemical Society.