Synthesis and optical properties of zinc phosphate microspheres

Monodisperse zinc phosphate microspheres were synthesized by a facile solvothermal method in the presence of oleic acid. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR), emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDX) were used to characterize the microstructures and morphologies of the as-obtained zinc phosphate samples. The experimental results indicate that the zinc phosphate products are well crystallized, and the morphologies of the samples can be easily controlled by the elaborate choice of oleic acid addition and the content of NaOH. Furthermore, self-activated luminescent properties of the products are observed. The as-obtained samples show an intense blue emission under a long-wavelength UV light excitation of 400 nm. The possible luminescent mechanism may be ascribed to the carbon-related surface impurities or defects.