Adhesion improvement of phosphor layer by combining electrophoretic deposition and UV curing

Electrophoretic deposition of a phosphor layer was examined in order to improve the adhesion strength of phosphor particles using (Y0.964Eu0.036)(2)O-3. A considerable level of improvement in adhesion strength between phosphor particles (and substrate) was obtained when an ultraviolet (UV) curing process was used instead of water inclusion and/or postannealing. An aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol and ammonium dichromate was coated by spraying onto the electrophoretically deposited phosphor layer followed by curing under UV light for cross-linking. Based upon photoluminescence and scanning electron microscope studies, little optical and structural changes in the phosphor layer were found as a result of optimized amount of the curing agents and UV exposure. (C) 2003 The Electrochemical Society.