ZnS:Cu, Al phosphor is prepared by conventional solid-state reaction and is confirmed as an efficient phosphor for field emission display (FED). Broad photoluminescence (PL) band centered at 528 nm is obtained from the phosphor. The ZnS:Cu, Al and carbon nano-tubes (CNTs) are screen-printed on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate to prepare the anode and the cathode plates of FED, respectively. The luminous performance is studied by using a diode structure and is controllable by adjusting space distance between the anode and cathode plate as well as thickness of phosphor-layer on the anode plate. The optimized luminance is around 6231 cd m(-2) when using a 0.25 mm spacer and applying an electric field of 6 V mu m(-1). (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.