title: Preparation, photoluminescence and photocatalytic properties of ZnO:Eu3+ nanocrystals.
abstract: The ZnO short nanorods and flowerlike nanostructures doped with Eu3+ ions are prepared by a hydrothermal method through adjusting the hydrothermal temperature. The XRD, FESEM, FT-IR, luminescent and photocatalytic properties are characterized. The results indicate that the hydrothermal temperature affects the morphology of ZnO:Eu3+ nanocrystals, short nanorods at 120 degrees C, flowerlike nanocrystals at 150 degrees C and nanoparticles at 180 degrees C. The structures of ZnO:Eu3+ nanocrystals prepared at different hydrothermal temperatures are assigned to hexagonal phase. The photoluminescent properties including excitation and emission spectra are studied. The charge transfer band and f-f transition absorption are observed in excitation spectra. And, the 5D(0)-7F(J) (J = 0-4) transition emissions appear in emission spectra. In addition, the photocatalytic properties are also studied. The degradation rate of ZnO:Eu3+ nanocrystals is a little lower than pure ZnO nanocrystals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanchang University, 330031 Nanchang, PR China.
authors.forename: Fuhai
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hai
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Lixin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D005063:Europium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D008163:Luminescent Measurements / Q000379:methods*; D008422:Materials Testing; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D005063:Europium; D015034:Zinc Oxide