Fabrication and cathode luminescence of partially MgO-substituted ZnO powders

Recently, the development of new nonsulfide phosphors with high efficiency is urgently needed for VFDs and FEDs. The fabrication for hexagonal Zn1-xMgxO (0.0 <= x <= 0.15) solid solution and the effect of partially substituted MgO on the cathode luminescence (CL) were investigated in this research. A limited range of (Zn1-xMgx) O solid solution was prepared using the thermal decomposition of complex Zn-Mg oxalate. The solubility of Mg in ZnO was estimated to be ca. 15%. In the samples annealed at 1373 K for 2 h in a reduced atmosphere, green to blue cathode luminescence was observed. It is evident that the partial substitution of MgO results in the shift of green emission band at low wavelength side. The CL material is expected as a low-cost and blue light-emitting phosphor for low voltage luminescence in flat panel displays.