(Zn_1−x−yMg_y)₂GeO₄: xMn²⁺ (y = 0–0.30; x = 0–0.035) phosphors with uniform submicrorod morphology were synthesized through a facile hydrothermal process. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), photoluminescence (PL), and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy were utilized to characterize the samples. SEM and TEM images indicate that Zn₂GeO₄:Mn²⁺ samples consist of submicrorods with lengths around 1–2 μm and diameters around 200–250 nm, respectively. The possible formation mechanism for Zn₂GeO₄ submicrorods has been presented. PL and CL spectroscopic characterizations show that pure Zn₂GeO₄ sample shows a blue emission due to defects, while Zn₂GeO₄:Mn²⁺ phosphors exhibit a green emission corresponding to the characteristic transition of Mn²⁺ (⁴T₁→⁶A₁) under the excitation of UV and low-voltage electron beam. Compared with Zn₂GeO₄:Mn²⁺ sample prepared by solid-state reaction, Zn₂GeO₄:Mn²⁺ phosphors obtained by hydrothermal process followed by high temperature annealing show better luminescence properties. In addition, codoping Mg²⁺ ions into the lattice to substitute for Zn²⁺ ions can enhance both the PL and CL intensity of Zn₂GeO₄:Mn²⁺ phosphors. Furthermore, Zn₂GeO₄:Mn²⁺ phosphors exhibit more saturated green emission than the commercial FEDs phosphor ZnO:Zn, and it is expected that these phosphors are promising for application in field-emission displays.

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