Luminescing member, process for preparation thereof, and electroluminescent device employing same

A luminescent member which emits light upon application of excitation energy thereto, having a luminescing part comprising ultrafine particles, said ultrafine particles comprising an amorphous A:O.sub.x, wherein A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, C and Ge and X represents a numerical value ranging from 1 to 2.

A luminescent member that emits light as a result of application of excitation energy thereto, wherein a luminescing part comprises ultrafine particles comprising an amorphous A:O:H having an A--O--A bond and an A--OH bond, and said element A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, C and Ge.

A process for preparing a luminescent member comprising the steps of:

• forming ultrafine particles comprising an amorphous A:H.sub.x containing a large number of AH.sub.2 bonds;
• and
• oxidizing said ultrafine particles, wherein A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, C and Ge.

A process for preparing a luminescing member, comprising the steps of subjecting a gas containing hydrogenated silicon to a discharge plasma treatment to form ultrafine particles containing silicon, blowing a gas containing said ultrafine particles on a substrate through a nozzle to form on the substrate a deposit film comprising the ultrafine particles, and oxidizing said deposit film under the condition of a high humidity.

An electroluminescent device comprising:

• at least one pair of electrodes, and a luminescent layer held between said electrodes, wherein said luminescent layer comprises an ultrafine particle film formed by deposition of ultrafine particles, said ultrafine particles containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, C and Ge.