Red luminescence from hydrothermally synthesized Eu-doped ZnO nanoparticles under visible excitation

Eu-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The Eu-dopant concentration has been varied by varying the amount of Eu-dopant concentration. These nanoparticles were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction and it confirms the formation of nanoparticles having standard wurtzite structure. Photoluminescence studies show that these nanoparticles exhibit a sharp red luminescence due to the intra-4f transitions of Eu³⁺ ions at an excitation of 397 nm and 466 nm. Luminescence quenching is observed in the nanoparticles as the Eu-dopant concentration increases. Incorporation of Eu in the nanoparticles was confirmed by the energy dispersive X-ray studies.