Find HS Code and trade information for phosphor

Phosphor

Phosphors are substances that exhibit luminescence – the emission of light – after being excited by ionizing radiation. This radiation can take various forms, including ultraviolet (UV) light, electron beams, and visible light, among others. They are integral components in a wide range of display and lighting technologies.

Material Properties

Phosphors are typically inorganic compounds, though organic phosphors exist. Common base materials include:

• Sulfides: Zinc sulfide (ZnS) is a frequently used base material, often doped with activators.
• Silicates: Strontium silicate and barium silicate are used for longer-lasting phosphors.
• Oxides: Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) and other rare-earth oxides are prevalent in white light LEDs and displays.
• Nitrides: Often used in high-brightness applications.

The luminescence is achieved through the inclusion of activators – impurities intentionally added to the base material. These activators absorb energy from the excitation source and then re-emit it as light at a specific wavelength, determining the color of the emitted light. Common activators include europium, terbium, and manganese.

Purpose & Function

The primary purpose of a phosphor is to convert one form of energy into visible light. This conversion process involves several steps:

1. Absorption: The phosphor material absorbs energy from an external source (e.g., UV photons, electrons).
2. Excitation: This absorbed energy excites electrons within the activator atoms to higher energy levels.
3. Emission: As these excited electrons return to their ground state, they release energy in the form of photons – visible light.

The specific activator and the host material determine the wavelength (color) and duration of the emitted light.

Usage Scenarios

Phosphors are used in a vast array of applications:

• Display Technologies:
  • Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs): Historically, CRTs relied heavily on phosphors to create images. Different phosphors were used for red, green, and blue light.
  • Plasma Displays: Similar to CRTs, plasma displays utilized phosphors to generate the visible image.
  • LED Lighting: White LEDs are not directly white light sources. They typically use a blue LED chip coated with a phosphor coating that converts some of the blue light into yellow light. The combination of blue and yellow light appears white. Different phosphor blends are used to achieve different color temperatures and color rendering indices.
  • LCD Backlighting: Phosphors are used in CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamps) and LED backlights to provide the illumination for LCD screens.
• Medical Imaging: Phosphors are used in X-ray imaging to convert X-rays into visible light, allowing for image capture.
• Security Features: Phosphorescent materials are used in security inks and markings for anti-counterfeiting purposes.
• Glow-in-the-Dark Materials: Strontium aluminate-based phosphors are commonly used in glow-in-the-dark products.
• Scientific Instruments: Phosphors are employed in various detectors and imaging devices.

Common Types

• ZnS:Cu (Zinc Sulfide with Copper): Emits green light. Historically used in CRTs.
• ZnS:Ag (Zinc Sulfide with Silver): Emits blue light. Also used in CRTs.
• YAG:Ce (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet doped with Cerium): A common yellow phosphor used in white LEDs.
• YAP:Ce (Yttrium Aluminum Phosphate doped with Cerium): Another yellow phosphor for white LEDs, offering different characteristics than YAG:Ce.
• Strontium Aluminate: Provides long-lasting afterglow, used in glow-in-the-dark applications.
• Europium-doped phosphors: Used for red and blue light emission in displays and lighting.
• Nitride-based phosphors: Used in high-brightness applications, such as high-power LEDs.

Phosphor, based on the provided information, can relate to several classifications depending on its specific composition and application. Here's a breakdown of relevant HS codes:

• 2835100000: This code covers Phosphinates (hypophosphites), phosphonates (phosphites) and phosphates; polyphosphates, whether or not chemically defined: Phosphinates (hypophosphites) and phosphonates (phosphites). The tax rate details are: Basic tariff: 3.1%, Additional tariff: 25.0%, Post-April 2, 2025, additional tariff: 30.0%, with a total tariff of 58.1%. This applies if the phosphor is in the form of a hypophosphite or phosphite.

• 2835295100: This code covers Phosphinates (hypophosphites), phosphonates (phosphites) and phosphates; polyphosphates, whether or not chemically defined: Phosphates: Other: Other. The tax rate details are: Basic tariff: 4.1%, Additional tariff: 25.0%, Post-April 2, 2025, additional tariff: 30.0%, with a total tariff of 59.1%. This applies if the phosphor is in the form of a phosphate.

• 2853901000: This code covers Phosphides, whether or not chemically defined, excluding ferrophosphorous; other inorganic compounds (including distilled or conductivity water and water of similar purity); liquid air (whether or not rare gases have been removed); compressed air; amalgams, other than amalgams of precious metals: Other: Phosphides, whether or not chemically defined, excluding ferrophosphorous: Of copper (phosphor copper), containing more than 15 percent by weight of phosphorous. The tax rate details are: Basic tariff: 2.6%, Additional tariff: 25.0%, Post-April 2, 2025, additional tariff: 30.0%, with a total tariff of 57.6%. This applies specifically to phosphor copper alloys containing over 15% phosphorous.

• 3103110000: This code covers Mineral or chemical fertilizers, phosphatic: Superphosphates: Containing by weight 35 percent or more of diphosphorous pentaoxide (P₂O₅). The tax rate details are: Basic tariff: 0.0%, Additional tariff: 25.0%, Post-April 2, 2025, additional tariff: 30.0%, with a total tariff of 55.0%. This applies if the phosphor is used as a superphosphate fertilizer containing at least 35% diphosphorous pentaoxide.

• 3103190000: This code covers Mineral or chemical fertilizers, phosphatic: Superphosphates: Other. The tax rate details are: Basic tariff: 0.0%, Additional tariff: 25.0%, Post-April 2, 2025, additional tariff: 30.0%, with a total tariff of 55.0%. This applies to other types of superphosphate fertilizers.

It is important to determine the exact chemical composition and intended use of the phosphor to select the correct HS code.