Intense Green Luminescence from Eu²⁺-doped ZnO Microstructures

Abstract

We fabricated Eu 2þ -doped ZnO microstructures by thermal evaporation. Their structures were micrometer-size grains with smooth surfaces or nanometer-size needles. Morphology depended on the temperature region where structures were grown. A strong green luminescence at room temperature is demonstrated. This is attributed to the efficient energy transfer from the ZnO matrix to Eu 2þ ions and their 5d-4f transitions.

Impact of Lanthanide Nanomaterials on Photonic Devices and Smart Applications

“…Simple Eu 2+ ‐doped nanooxides include ZnO, SnO 2 , TiO 2 , and Gd 2 O 3 , and have emission wavelengths spanning from blue to the orange region (≈430–590 nm); however, these phosphors lack crystallographically appropriate cation sites into which Eu 2+ may be doped.…”

Photoluminescence Properties of Eu3+-Doped ZnO Nanoneedles

“…However, the measurement of PLE spectra for the Eu 2þ -doped ZnO microstructures in ref. 10 showed a clear enhancement of tail states below the ZnO band gap. It is considered that this result confirmed Eu doping in those microstructures.…”

“…2(b) and 2(d), respectively, with those of the undoped ZnO nanoneedles 10) shown in Figs. 2(a) and 2(c) for comparison.…”

Red luminescence of Eu3+ doped ZnO nanoparticles fabricated by laser ablation in aqueous solution

“…Efficient energy transfer from ZnO host to Eu 3+ was reported to occur in monodisperse Eudoped ZnO nanoparticles [26]. Although many techniques like sol-gel [22,27], hydrothermal [23,28], codecomposition [26], microemulsion [29], colloid [30], thermal evaporation [31,32], etc., have been reported to synthesize Eudoped ZnO nanoparticles, demonstration of doping of Eu 3+ into ZnO host lattice and energy transfer from ZnO to Eu 3+ are not straightforward. One of the key points is believed to be lack of spectroscopic evidence of doping of Eu 3+ into ZnO host lattice.…”