Luminescence from Zn interstitials due to combustion derived complex of Dy and Gd activated ZnO nanopowders

Abstract

ZnO is an II-VI compound semiconductor possessing wide, direct bandgap (3.37 eV) and high excitonic binding energy (60 meV) even at room temperature. High crystalline ZnO nanostructures show distinctive characteristics in light emission, particularly in lasing applications. Here, in this work, rare earth doping in ZnO was carried out to enhance its photoluminescence property. Pure, 2 mol% Dy doped, 2 mol% Gd doped and 1 mol% Dy and Gd co-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized via easy combustion technique. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscope, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope, Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscope and Photoluminescence. Enhancement of Photoluminescence in 1 mol% Dy and Gd co-doped ZnO nanoparticles is observed.

Photocatalytic and Photoluminescence Studies of La, Ce, and Dy Co-doped ZnO Nanoflowers

“…All the samples showed high reflection in visible region, confirming a small absorption of visible light by all samples. Co-doping was seen to enhance the percentage of visible light reflectance, which has also been reported previously[56,57]. The bandgap was calculated from the reflectance using the Kubela-Munk function:…”

Photocatalytic and Photoluminescence Studies of La, Ce and Dy Co-Doped ZnO Nanoflowers

“…All the samples showed high reflection in visible region, confirming a small absorption of visible light by all samples. Co-doping was seen to enhance the percentage of visible light reflectance, which has also been reported previously[56,57]. The bandgap was calculated from the reflectance using the Kubela-Munk function:( ) = (1 − ) 2 /2(6)Where ( ) the Kubela-Munk is function and represents the reflectance [58, 59], is found from the y axis of the plot between reflectance and wavelength Fig.…”