Rapid synthesis of pure and narrowly distributed Eu doped ZnO nanoparticles by solution combustion method

Abstract Pure ZnO:Eu 3+ nanoparticles (~ 50 nm) were prepared by a solution combustion method. ZnO and Eu 2 O 3 were used as starting materials and dissolved in nitric acid. Citric acid was used as a fuel. The reaction mixture was heated at 350 °C resulting into a rapid exothermic reaction yielding pure nanopowders. The atomic weight concentration of Eu 3+ doped in ZnO was 20%. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study the particle size and morphology. The nanopowders were characterized for phase composition using X-ray diffractrometry (XRD). Particle size distribution (PSD) analysis of ZnO: Eu 3+ showed particle sizes ranging from 30 to 80 nm.The photoluminescence emission spectra of ZnO:Eu 3+ nanostructures showed a strong band emission around 618 nm when excited with 515 nm wavelength.