Eu doped ZnO nanoparticles with strong potential of thermal sensing and bioimaging

Undoped and Eu doped ZnO (EZO) nanoparticles were prepared by sol-gel coprecipitation whose average crystallite size lies within the range of 27.83-64.15 nm. The band gap showed a monotonous redshift with Eu doping from 0 to 6 at. %. Photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra of undoped ZnO contained three major peaks at 388, 467 and 563 nm out of which the first peak showed redshift with Eu doping. The higher amount of microstrain was found to cause blueshift at the level of 2 at. % Eu doping. Reduction of temperature from 30 degrees C to -10 degrees C was found to enhance the blue emission intensity of PL peaks in EZO. Vertically grown nanostructures demonstrated better luminescence behaviour. EZO has strong potential for thermal sensing and bioimaging.

Automated summary

The study revealed that the band gap of Eu-doped ZnO nanoparticles showed a redshift, while an increase in microstrain caused a blueshift. Lowering the temperature was found to enhance the blue emission intensity of ZnO nanoparticles, with vertically grown nanostructures demonstrating better luminescence behavior. EZO shows strong potential for thermal sensing and bioimaging applications.