Rapid synthesis and luminescence of the Eu, Er codoped ZnO quantum-dot chain via chemical precipitation method

ZnO quantum-dot chains codoped with Eu³⁺ and Er³⁺ were synthesized by the chemical precipitation method and the codoping effects on the structures, morphologies and optical properties of the powders were briefly investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) results indicated the Eu³⁺ and Er³⁺ were incorporated into the crystal lattice of ZnO host. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements showed the sizes of the ZnO quantum dots decreased with the increase of Eu³⁺ and Er³⁺ doping concentration, and the quantum-dot chains were formed by codoping with Eu³⁺ and Er³⁺. The green emissions in the photoluminescence spectra were attributed to 4f-4f of Er³⁺ inner shell ²H_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions, and the characteristic red emissions of Eu³⁺ ions were attributed to the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ and ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transitions, respectively. Moreover, the red emission of the Eu³⁺ ions gradually decreased with the Er³⁺ ions doping concentration increased, which may be due to the different energy storage centers in the powders.