Low voltage cathode-luminescent properties of Zn co-doped Y2O3:Eu red phosphor

Zn co-doped and undoped Y2O3-Eu red phosphor was prepared by citric acid gel method and it was investigated to know its cathodoluminesecent properties at low voltage excitation (<2 kVs). In this connection the cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra of Zn co-doped and undoped phosphors were taken and they showed various line emissions along with a sharp red emission at 611 nm, irrespective of Zn concentration, due to 5D0-7F2 transitions from Eu luminescent center. It was found that the incorporation of Zn could significantly enhance the CL emission intensity of Eu at about 33% when compared with Zn undoped phosphor. It was also found the Zn co-doping could not alter the crystal structure whereas it could change the morphology of the particles. The promising results revealed the possible application of this phosphor materials as red phosphor for field emission displays [FEDs].