Luminescence properties of ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposite activated by Eu3+ and their spectroscopic analysis

Abstract

A new type of novel orange-red emitting Eu-doped ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposite phosphors have been synthesized by simple low temperature co-precipitation route. Structure and morphology of the prepared sample have been investigated using X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) techniques. XRD pattern confirmed the presence of both phases of ZnO and TiO2 simultaneously. The luminescence properties, such as photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra, Judd-Ofelt parameters, CIE colour coordinates and the dependence of luminescence intensity on the doping level were investigated. The luminescence spectrum characteristics of Eu3+ ions have a strong dependence on Eu3+ doping levels as well as ZnO/TiO2 ratio variations. The photoluminescence results indicate that these phosphors could be efficiently excited by near-ultraviolet radiation, which causes emissions in orange-red regions.