Effects of mineralizing agent on the morphologies and photoluminescence properties of Eu3+-doped ZnO nanomaterials

► Eu-doped ZnO with different morphologies were synthesized by hydrothermal method. ► Mineralizing agent was found to have strong effect on the properties of samples. ► Intensity of red emission was related with the concentration of intrinsic defects. ► The intrinsic defects, especially O-vacancies, could assist the energy transfer.