Dependence of energy transfer and photoluminescence on tailored defects in Eu-doped ZnO nanosheets-based microflowers

Eu-doped ZnO nanosheets-based microflowers have been synthesized successfully by using a hydrothermal method. Eu3+-related red emission results from energy transfer are observed in the microflowers under UV laser excitation. Further systematic photoluminescence studies on the samples upon oxygen and vacuum annealing treatments suggest that there exists a strong correlation between the intrinsic defects and the efficiency of the Eu3+-related emission. It is demonstrated that these defects may act as the media in the energy transfer process from the ZnO host to Eu3+ ions.