Identification of the transition responsible for the visible emission in ZnO using quantum size effects

The emission properties of suspensions of nanocrystalline ZnO particles with different particle sizes were studied. Two emission bands were observed, one being an exciton emission and the other the visible emission of ZnO. The energy of both emissions depends on the particle dimensions due to size quantization. A linear relationship between the energetic maxima of the two emission bands is found. Because of the difference in effective masses of electrons and holes in ZnO, the slope of the linear relationship clearly indicates that the visible emission is due to the transition of an electron from the conduction band to a deep trap. The nature of the deep trap is also considered.