Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of ZnO powder by solution combustion method

ZnO powder was synthesized by solution combustion method without annealing process. The specimens prepared with different fuel/oxidant ratios were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectrometry, ultraviolet spectrometer (UV) and photoluminescence spectra (PL). With the optimal fuel/oxidant ratio of 0.25, relatively pure ZnO powder, showing the highest XRD peak, UV absorption and better luminescence property was obtained. Two peaks at 412 and 468 nm in PL spectra were attributed to the transition from conduction band to some deep acceptor level and the transition from the level of oxygen vacancies to the valence band, respectively.