Fabrication of titania nanocoatings on ZnS-type phosphors using the titanium diethanolamine as the precursor in an aqueous solution

The titania nanocoatings on ZnS: Ag, Cl phosphors were successfully obtained by the sol–gel process in an aqueous solution using the titanium diethanolamine complex as the precursor. The titanium diethanolamine complex was prepared with diethanolamine (DEA) and titanium butoxide at the temperature of 120 °C. The nanocoatings synthesized by this technique were uniform and continuous with a thickness of about 10–15 nm, and the photoluminescent (PL) spectra showed that no other luminescent center was introduced. The titania coatings with an appropriate thickness were expected to prevent the degradation of ZnS phosphors in field emission displays (FEDs).