Photoluminescence characteristics of spherical Y2O3 : Eu phosphors by aerosol pyrolysis

The phosphors of high luminous efficiency for plasma display panel (PDP) ap plications must have high purity, single phase, uniform particle size, and clean surfaces. Photoluminescence characteristics of europium-doped yttrium oxide phosphors of spherical shape as well as optimum synthetic conditions for maximal luminescence were investigated through emission spectroscopy, X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the spherical Y2O3:Eu phosphors had good mechanical properties and high emissi on spectra for device application. Optical characteristics of spherical pho sphors were mainly dependent on synthetic temperature, doped activator conc entrations, particle size, and annealing process. Especially, it was observ ed that the europium distribution in the host lattice of our samples prepar ed by aerosol pyrolysis was quite different from that of commercial phospho rs by the solid-state reaction method. The resultant spherical phosphors sh ow comparable luminescent properties to the commercial product (product by Nichia Co.). This paper describes the synthetic technique and discusses phy sical and luminescent properties of spherical phosphors in comparison to th e characteristics of phosphors prepared by the solid-state reaction method. (C) 2001 The Electrochemical Society.