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Microstructure and optical properties of Eu-doped Mg x Zn1−x O hexagonal nanocrystals

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Abstract

Eu-doped Mg x Zn1−x O hexagonal nanocrystals with wurtzite-type structure were fabricated on quartz substrates by electron beam evaporation using Mg0.15Zn0.85O: Eu y (0⩽y⩽0.08) target combined thermal annealing followed with rapid cooling. The influence of Eu on the microstructure and optical properties of Mg x Zn1−x O hexagonal nanocrystals had been investigated using X-ray diffraction spectra, X-ray photoelectron energy spectra, scanning electron microscopy, absorption spectra, and photoluminescence spectra. It was found that Eu-doped Mg x Zn1−x O hexagonal nanocrystals annealed at 700°C exhibited (002) preferred orientation, whereas undoped Mg x Zn1−x O hexagonal nanocrystals annealed at 700°C did not exhibit preferential growth. The Mg concentration of Eu-doped and undoped Mg x Zn1−x O hexagonal nanocrystals annealed at 700°C were both 0.08. However, an evident phase separation of the Eu-doped Mg x Zn1−x O hexagonal nanocrystals with Mg0.08Zn0.92O/Mg0.03Zn0.97O/air SQW core-shell structures was observed. The binding energy of exciton in Mg0.03Zn0.97O (66 meV) was larger than that in Mg0.08Zn0.92O (50 meV) that was further evidence of Mg0.08Zn0.92O/Mg0.03Zn0.97O/air SQW core-shell structures formed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Advanced Optoelectronic Functional Materials Research, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China

    Na Li, HaiTao Cui, YuXue Liu, ChangShan Xu & YiChun Liu

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  1. Na Li
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  2. HaiTao Cui
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  3. YuXue Liu
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  4. ChangShan Xu
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Correspondence to YuXue Liu.

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Li, N., Cui, H., Liu, Y. et al. Microstructure and optical properties of Eu-doped Mg x Zn1−x O hexagonal nanocrystals. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 53, 761–765 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-010-0048-x

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