Introduction of cooperating conductive components into the phosphor to improve the low voltage cathodoluminescence

In order to improve the electric conductivity of Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphor with the least amount of conductive component so as to maximize the improvement in low voltage cathodoluminescence, In2O3 and Cu nanowires (NWs) were simultaneously introduced to form Cu NWs/In2O3-attached Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphor. In2O3 and Cu NWs play different roles in the formation of electrically conductive network, i.e., Cu NWs are suitable as conductive channels for charge transmission due to their one-dimensional morphology with large slenderness ratios, while the island-like In2O3 condensates form local conductive contacts joining the adjacent Cu NWs. Meanwhile, In2O3 forms attachment between Cu NWs and the phosphor. Owing to the cooperating effects between Cu NWs/In2O3 conductive components in the phosphor, the efficiency in low voltage cathodoluminescence was significantly improved. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.