Synthesis of Y(P,V)O4:Eu3+ Red Phosphor by Spray Pyrolysis without Postheating

Abstract

We synthesized europium-activated yttrium phosphovanadate (Y(P,V)O4:Eu3+) red phosphor, which is expected to be applicable in plasma display panels, by spray pyrolysis. The effect of pyrolysis temperature on luminescence characteristics was clarified and the mechanism of this effect is discussed. A precursor solution containing sodium, which would act as a flux, was used in the first experiments. The obtained phosphor showed high luminance under UV excitation but the luminance under vacuum UV (VUV) excitation was very low. The luminance of the phosphor was improved using precursors without sodium. The phosphor synthesized at 1600°C had the same luminance as that synthesized by solid-state reaction under UV excitation. Its luminance under VUV excitation was 93% of the solid-state phosphor. Sodium ions accelerated the crystal growth of phosphor particles, but they decreased the luminance of the phosphor, particularly under VUV excitation.