The effect of annealing on properties of europium doped ZnO nanopowders obtained by a microwave hydrothermal method

Abstract Europium doped ZnO nanopowders made by microwave hydrothermal method are investigated. As zinc oxide precursor zinc nitrate(V) hexahydrate (Zn(NO3)2·6H2O) was used. Two types of nanopowder samples are examined: as grown and annealed at 750 °C in air atmosphere. We investigate the structural, morphological and optical prosperities of europium doped ZnO. Results of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, photo- and cathodoluminescence investigations and also CIE1961 chromaticity diagram are presented.