Enhanced exciton emission from ZnO nano-phosphor induced by Yb3+ ions

In this work, the sol-gel method was used to prepare Ytterbium (Yb3+) doped ZnO nano-phosphors with different concentrations of Yb3+ ions. Their structural, morphological, photoluminescence, electronic states and the chemical composition analysis were investigated in detail. Both pure and Yb3+ doped ZnO were found to have hexagonal wurtzite structure with the particle size in the range of 4-7 nm in diameter. Addition of Yb3+ ions into the ZnO host lattice led to enhanced exciton emission from ZnO indicating energy transfer from Yb3+ ions to ZnO or a reduction of oxygen related defects. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.