Enhanced exciton emission from ZnO nano-phosphor induced by Yb3+ ions

• ZnO nanoparticles doped with Yb3+ ions were prepared by sol–gel.
• (101) ZnO diffraction peak shifted to lower diffraction angles due to Yb3+ ions.
• Addition of Yb3+ ions enhanced the ZnO exciton emission peak.
• ZnO defects emission peak was severely reduced in the presence of Yb3+ ions.
• XPS analysis confirmed the presence of Zn2+ and Yb3+ oxidation states in ZnO.

In this work, the sol–gel method was used to prepare Ytterbium (Yb3+) doped ZnO nano-phosphors with different concentrations of Yb3+ ions. Their structural, morphological, photoluminescence, electronic states and the chemical composition analysis were investigated in detail. Both pure and Yb3+ doped ZnO were found to have hexagonal wurtzite structure with the particle size in the range of 4–7 nm in diameter. Addition of Yb3+ ions into the ZnO host lattice led to enhanced exciton emission from ZnO indicating energy transfer from Yb3+ ions to ZnO or a reduction of oxygen related defects.

TEM image and EDS spectrum of Yb3+ doped ZnO, along with the comparison of the PL emission from un-doped and Yb3+ doped ZnO nanophosphors.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide