Formation Process of a Red Phosphor, $Y_2O_2S:Eu^{3+}$

Yttrium oxysulfide incoporated with europium has been prepared by direct heating the mixture of $Y_2O_3,\;Eu_2O_3,\;NaOH(or\;Na_2CO_3)$, and S. The reaction of the mixture at low temperatures and treatment at higher temperatures are studied. The formation of $Y_2O_2S$ is completed at lower temperature (ca. 500$^{\circ}C$) and incorporation of $Eu^{3+}$ into $Y_2O_2S$ lattice proceeds at higher temperature (above 1000$^{\circ}C$) along with crystal growth. Small amount of the unknown phase considered to be $Y_2O_2S_2$ is formed along with $Y_2O_2S$ in the temperature range from 400$^{\circ}C$ to 460$^{\circ}C$.