Enhanced UV emission of Y-doped ZnO nanoparticles

► Rare earth element Y was doped in ZnO nanoparticles and the saturation concentration of Y in ZnO lattice is 6.12 at%. ► The UV emission of ZnO can be significantly increased by Y doping in ZnO lattice. ► The deep level emission of ZnO was suppressed by Y doping and a high intensity ratio (32) of UV to DLE was obtained.