Synthesis and characterization of ZnS:Mn,Cl phosphor by combustion method

The preparation of ZnS:Mn,Cl phosphor has been carried out by combustion method. Manganese nitrate was decomposed with an organic fuel at $500^{\circ}C$ to give fine sized crystallites in presence of alkali metal halides at a lower temperature than the conventional synthesis. The phosphors thus obtained were then heated at 900 to $1200^{\circ}C$ in an inert atmosphere, for 3hours to get better luminescent properties. The phosphors were prepared at different temperatures and at different doping concentrations of manganese to determine the optimal conditions for synthesizing the phosphors with superior optical properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations have been carried out to observe the particle morphology and the grain size. Powder X-ray diffraction(XRD) was also performed to characterize the phosphors.