Fabrication of silica nanocoatings on ZnS-type phosphors via a sol–gel route using cetyltrimethylammonium chloride dispersant

In order to apply ZnS-type phosphors in field emission displays (FEDs), their poor ageing performance, resulting from their surface oxidation at high current densities, should be improved. In this study, the green emitting ZnS:Ag,Cl phosphors are covered with uniform and continuous SiO2 coatings via a sol–gel route, which is expected to inhibit their surface oxidation. During the gelation process, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), a cationic surfactant, is added to increase the dispersibility of phosphors in suspension. Furthermore, the addition of CTAC promotes uniform distribution of charges on the whole phosphor surfaces, thus benefit the formation of continuous and uniform coatings.