Electroluminescent phosphor and method of making

Abstract

A copper activated zinc sulfide electroluminescent phosphor is disclosed, wherein the phosphor comprises greater than about 1,000 ppm copper. Also disclosed is a copper activated zinc sulfide electroluminescent phosphor having a y color coordinate of at least about 0.480. A method for preparing the copper activated zinc sulfide electroluminescent phosphor is disclosed, comprising contacting a zinc sulfide, a first copper source, a magnesium source, and a lithium halide to form a first mixture; heating the mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form a fired mixture; subjecting the fired mixture to a shear force capable of inducing a plurality of defects in the zinc sulfide lattice structure; and then contacting the fired mixture with a second copper source and a zinc oxide to form a second mixture; heating the second mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form a second-fired material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.