Induced synthesis of ZnO:Tb3+ green hybrid phosphors by the assembly of polyethylene glycol matrices

The Tb3+, Li+ ion co-doped ZnO/PEG particles were prepared by a co-precipitation approach derived from Zn(CH3COO)2, NaOH, CH3COOLi and PEG in ethanol solution at room temperature. The characteristic green luminescence spectra which corresponded to f–f transitions of Tb3+ were observed. The microstructure and luminescent properties were investigated by XRD, SEM and luminescent spectra. The strong emissions at 484 and 545 nm were noticed from the Tb3+ doped ZnO/PEG composites. With regard to the comparison between the emission spectra of pure and PEG directed ZnO:Tb hybrids, it is worthy of pointing out that the PEG matrix largely improves the emission intensity of Tb3+.