Surface defect modification of ZnO quantum dots based on rare earth acetylacetonate and their impacts on optical performance

The surface defect modification has an important effect on the application of ZnO quantum dots, and it has gained much progress in recently years, propelled by the development of additives. Our research efforts are directed toward developing a new surface modification additive RE(AcAc) ₃ (RE = Ce, Dy, Tb) to achieve fine ZnO QDs and adjust their surface properties. RE(AcAc) ₃ /ZnO QDs nanostructured materials have been designed and prepared, and particular emphasis has been given to the relation between the surface modification and optical properties. The effects of RE(III) acetylacetonate modification on the FT-IR, TEM images and photoluminescence (PL) spectra were investigated, and the surface defect modification principle and effect were discussed in details. The band gap (E _g ) was also calculated to prove the surface modification effect. For the RE(AcAc) ₃ /ZnO QDs complex materials, stable linkage occurs because of the affinity of [sbnd]COOH from acetylacetonate anionic ligand to zinc oxide surfaces, with attachment to the zinc oxide by hydrogen bonding between the protons of the hydroxyl groups on the surface of ZnO QDs and the π–system of acetylacetone.