Hetero-junction assisted improved luminescence of Eu3+ doped ZnO–SnO2 nanocomposite.

In the present work it has been demonstrated that Eu doped ZnO–SnO 2 nanocomposite shows enhanced photoluminescence in comparison to individual ZnO:Eu or SnO 2 :Eu. Luminescence studies have confirmed that Eu 3+ ions mainly occupy Sn 4+ sites in the SnO 2 part of the composite. Hetero-junction assisted energy transfer from ZnO to SnO 2 :Eu 3+ has been assigned as the reason for this relative improvement in luminescence behavior. Based on the X-ray diffraction nuclear magnetic resonance studies it is confirmed that at higher annealing temperature, Zn 2 SnO 4 phase forming at the interface of SnO 2 and ZnO prevents the energy transfer between ZnO and SnO 2 :Eu and thereby decreases photoluminescence intensity. Deterrent of ZnO and SnO 2 interaction via silica dispersion of nanocomposite resulted in deterioration of luminescence properties further reaffirms the role of ZnO:SnO 2 hetero-junction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]