Preparation, photoluminescence and photocatalytic properties of ZnO:Eu3+ nanocrystals.

The ZnO short nanorods and flowerlike nanostructures doped with Eu3+ ions are prepared by a hydrothermal method through adjusting the hydrothermal temperature. The XRD, FESEM, FT-IR, luminescent and photocatalytic properties are characterized. The results indicate that the hydrothermal temperature affects the morphology of ZnO:Eu3+ nanocrystals, short nanorods at 120 degrees C, flowerlike nanocrystals at 150 degrees C and nanoparticles at 180 degrees C. The structures of ZnO:Eu3+ nanocrystals prepared at different hydrothermal temperatures are assigned to hexagonal phase. The photoluminescent properties including excitation and emission spectra are studied. The charge transfer band and f-f transition absorption are observed in excitation spectra. And, the 5D(0)-7F(J) (J = 0-4) transition emissions appear in emission spectra. In addition, the photocatalytic properties are also studied. The degradation rate of ZnO:Eu3+ nanocrystals is a little lower than pure ZnO nanocrystals.