Microstructural and luminescence characteristics of high-linearity ZnS:Cu2+,Cl− phosphor

In this study, we investigated the microstructural and luminescence characteristics of high-linearity ZnS:Cu2+,Cl− phosphor. Through conducting the method of high-temperature solid state reaction, we prepared the ZnS phosphors characterizing with two different doping concentrations of Cu2+ ions. The prepared two kinds of ZnS phosphors exhibit two coexisting forms of cubic phase and hexagonal phase, to which the concentration of Cu2+ imposes no influence on the microstructure of the phosphor. The average particle size is 2.68 ± 0.5 μm and the emission wavelength locating at approximate 460 nm attribute to the zinc vacancy. As the concentration of the Cu2+ ions increases, the energy bandgap, the fluorescence lifetime and the luminescence intensity decrease, causing noticeable concentration quenching. In addition, the linear correlation between the emission intensity and the current of the prepared phosphors is stronger than that of commercial ones. The prepared ZnS:Cu2+,Cl− phosphor with high linearity and short fluorescence lifetime has great potential to be applied in practical applications in the field of high-energy physics and astrophysical exploration.