Structural and Optical Properties of Hydrothermally Synthesized ZnO and $Zn_{0.99}O:Eu^{3+}$ Powders

The structural and optical properties of the ZnO and $Zn_{0.99}O:Eu^{3+}$ powders synthesized by the hydrothermal method at two different temperatures (150°C and 250°C) were studied. The ZnO and $Zn_{0.99}O:0.01Eu^{3+}$ powders synthesized at 150 and 250°C showed rod- and flower-like morphologies, respectively. The as-synthesized and annealed ZnO and $Zn_{0.99}O:0.01Eu^{3+}$ powders formed the wurtzite crystal structure and P6₃mc space group. The crystallite size of the as-synthesized and annealed ZnO powders increased by the incorporation of $Eu^{3+}. The photoluminescence properties of annealed $Zn_{0.99}O:0.01Eu^{3+}$ powders were substantially improved by controlling the synthesis temperature. The annealed $Zn_{0.99}O:0.01Eu^{3+}$ powders synthesized at 250°C displayed much stronger emission intensity than those at 150°C.