In this study we have synthesized Zno:Eu phosphors under various sintering atmospheres and temperatures. The analysis of X-ray diffractometer measurement indicates that for Zno:EuCl$_3$ phosphors sintered in air and vacuum 뗘 exists in the host lattice as Eu$_2$O$_3$and EuOCl respectively. From the photoluminescence for the phosphors sintered in vacuum Eu removes the broad-band emission of the ZnO host consequently isolating the red emission due to Eu$^{3+}$ ion and improves the color purity of red emission. The photoluminescence excitation and time resolving spectrum measurements suggest that energy-transfer process occurres from the self-activated defect center in ZnO host the Eu$^{3+}$ ion which exist in the host lattice in the form of EuOCl.