Photoluminescence of Eu-doped ZnAl-LDH depending on phase transitions caused by annealing temperatures

► The emissions of Eu3+ ions incorporated into layers of LDHs dependence on host phase transitions resulted from annealing temperature were investigated for the first time. ► Strong emissions attributed to 5D0-7FJ (J=1, 2, 3, 4) of Eu3+ located in ZnAl-Cl LDH were observed. ► The emissions of Eu3+ ions in ZnAl-Cl LDH were higher than those in ZnO phase and mixed phases of ZnO and ZnAl2O4, indicating that the structure of the ZnAl-Cl LDH more favored the emissions of Eu3+ ions.