Characterization of Eu-Doped Y[sub 2]O[sub 3] Nanoparticles Prepared in Nonionic Reverse Microemulsions in Relation to Their Application for Field Emission Display

Abstract

Luminescent particles were synthesized by the reaction between aqueous yttrium nitrate/europium nitrate salts and ammonium hydroxide solution by bulk precipitation and in the reverse microemulsion composed of NP-5/NP-9, cyclohexane, and water. Compared with luminescent particles formed by the bulk precipitation method, the particles prepared in microemulsion showed a narrower size distribution, spherical shape, smaller size (20-30 nm), higher crystallinity, and stronger photoluminescence. Also, Eu‐doped particles were deposited on the glass plate coated with indium tin oxide through the electrophoretic method. With these glass plates, low‐voltage cathodoluminescence (CL) was measured. The nanoparticles synthesized in reverse micro‐emulsion showed a stronger CL intensity and less current saturation than particles formed by bulk precipitation. These CL properties of particles formed in microemulsion might be attributed to the smaller particle size, the larger luminescent surface area, and more well‐developed crystalline structure of phosphor than those formed by bulk precipitation. © 2000 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.