Novel photoluminescence of SrZrO3 nanocrystals synthesized through a facile combustion method

Strontium zirconate (SrZrO3) nanocrystals with an average size of 19 nm were prepared by a simple sol–gel combustion method. The combustion reaction was induced just at 300 °C. Under conventional UV excitation, the SrZrO3 nanocrystals showed a strong violet emission at 400 nm. The number of luminescent zirconates is small, especially of those with visible emission. The novel luminescence was tentatively attributed to the existence of defect levels. Further study was carried out corresponding the size dependence of the luminescence property.