The photoluminescence spectra of ZnO nanoparticles in the ordered pores of
alumina membranes were investigated. An assembly of ZnO nanoparticles with
the porous alumina membrane was synthesized by immersing the porous alumina
membrane in a mixture of zinc butanol and water at 60 degrees C and then h
eating at 200 degrees C for 4 h. The photoluminescence measurements show th
at the assembly has a green luminescence band with the peak position at 485
nm. Compared with the photoluminescence spectra of nanostructured bulk ZnO
, the luminescence intensity of ZnO nanoparticles in the alumina membrane h
as an enhancement of a factor of 20. This luminescence enhancement arises f
rom the increase in singly ionized oxygen vacancies (F- centres) in the ZnO
nanoparticles located in the pores of the porous alumina membrane. (C) 200
0 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.