Preparation of Y₂O₂S: Eu³⁺ phosphors by a novel decomposition method

Yttrium oxysulfide doped with europium (Y₂O₂S:Eu³⁺) red phosphor was prepared by a new method decomposing the metal complexes Y(NO₃)₃•3(DMSO) and Eu(NO₃)₃•4(DMSO) in H₂S atmosphere at 900 °C. At the first time, this method was reported to synthesize rare earth sulfides, and now we first time use it to synthesize rare earth oxysulfide based red phosphor Y₂O₂S:Eu³⁺. In order to make a comparison, Y₂O₂S:Eu³⁺ red phosphor was also prepared by conventional high temperature solid-state method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and photoluminescence spectra revealed that no other impurity phase appeared and the intensity of phosphor prepared by new method was stronger than that of phosphor prepared by conventional method.