ZnS:Mn yellow phosphors doped with Sm for white light emitting diodes were synthesized by solid state reaction method. These sample showed the characteristic X-ray diffraction patterns for main peak (110) of ZnS:Mn,Sm. Photoluminescence excitation spectra originated from Mn2+ were ranged from 450 nm to 500 nm. The yellow emission at around 580 nm was associated with 4T1→6A1 transition of Mn2+ ions in ZnS:Mn,Sm phosphors. The highest photoluminescence intensity of the phosphors under 405 nm and 450 nm excitation was obtained at Sm concentration of 1 mol%. The enhanced photoluminescent intensity in the ZnS:Mn,Sm phosphors was interpreted by energy transfer from Sm to Mn. The highest luminescent intensity of white LED was obtained at the epoxy-to-yellow phosphor ratio of 1:3. At this ratio, the CIE chromaticity of the white LED was X=0.3886 and Y=0.2928.
