Abstract: Zn- and Sn-doped MgO powder preparing via a chemical coprecipitation method was spin-coated on alternating current plasma display panel (AC PDP) front panel as a functional layer to improve the discharging performance of AC PDP. The new products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectrom spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. The results showed that zinc and tin atoms had been successfully incorporated into the crystal lattice of MgO, which made the transmission only decrease by 4%~7%. Within 7% Xe-Ne pressure range of 200~450 torr, the new functional layer consistently showed lower firing and sustain maximum voltages than that of the conventional MgO layer. Therefore, this functional layer was important for improving the discharge efficiency of AC PDP and reducing its power consumption.