Photoluminescent properties of Sm3+-doped zinc oxide nanostructures

Sm3+-doped zinc oxide nanophosphors were synthesized by solution combustion method. The size of the ZnO:Sm3+ nanostructures ranges from 40–60 nm. The photoluminescence spectra of ZnO:Sm3+ nanostructures is different from that of pure ZnO. The emission spectra of ZnO:Sm3+ nanostructures show a strong narrow emission peak at 425 nm and weak peaks at 457, 472 and 482 nm when excited with 255 nm.