The europium doped ZnO (Eu–ZnO)
Nanoparticles were synthesized by a one-pot chemical method using
Zinc nitrate hexahydrate and europium oxide as zinc and Eu3þ
sources, respectively .Before starting the reaction, europium oxide
was converted into europium nitrate with the use of 10% HNO3
solution .In atypical synthesis ,a combined solution of Eu (NO3)3 and
Zn(NO3)2 6H2O was made with an atomic ratio of Eu/(EuþZn) =0%,
2%, 5% and 8%.The final molar ratio of the solution was 0.48 Min
25ml. Another solution of 1.07M triethanolamine in 25 ml was also
prepared, where TEA acted as a capping agent during the synthesis
of ZnO nanoparticles. The above solutions were mixed at 25 C
under continuous stirring. The pH of the reaction was adjusted to 8,
using ammonia ,to obtain a clear solution .The mixture was stirred
continuously for 3 h at 80 C. The clear solution gradually became
colloidal during the increase in temperature .The sample was then
centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min to discard the supernatant .The
ZnO precipitate was washed with absolute ethanol and water,
successively, and then air-dried ina noven at 40 1C.