Luminescence studies on low temperature synthesized ZnGa2O4:Ln3+ (Ln = Tb and Eu) nanoparticles

ZnGa2O4 nanoparticles doped with lanthanide ions (Tb3+ and Eu3+) were prepared at a low temperature of 120 degrees C based on urea hydrolysis in ethylene glycol medium. X-ray diffraction studies have confirmed that strain associated with nanoparticles changes as Tb3+ gets incorporated in the ZnGa2O4 lattice. Based on steady state emission and excitation studies of ZnGa2O4:Tb nanoparticles, it has been inferred that ZnGa2O4 host is characterized by a broad emission around 427 nm and there exists energy transfer between the host and Tb3+ ions. Unlike this, for ZnGa2O4:Eu nanoparticles, very poor energy transfer between the host and Eu3+ ions is observed. These nanoparticles when coated with ligands like oleic acid results in their improved dispersion in organic solvents like chloroform and dichloromethane.