Photoluminescence characteristics of spherical Y2O3:Eu phosphors by aerosol pyrolysis

The phosphors of high luminous efficiency for plasma display panel (PDP) applications 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 emission spectra for device application. Optical characteristics of spherical phosphors were mainly dependent on synthetic temperature, doped activator concentrations, particle size, and annealing process. Especially, it was observed that the europium distribution in the host lattice of our samples prepared by aerosol pyrolysis was quite different from that of commercial phosphors by the solid-state reaction method. The resultant spherical phosphors show comparable luminescent properties to the commercial product (product by Nichia Co.). This paper describes the synthetic technique and discusses physical and luminescent properties of spherical phosphors in comparison to the characteristics of phosphors prepared by the solid-state reaction method. (C) 2001 The Electrochemical Society.