Synthesis and abnormal photoluminescence of core/shell structured Fe/ZnO nanoparticles

摘要

Core/shell Fe/ZnO nanocomposite with average diameter of 200 nm has been synthesized successfully by means of a combined sol-gel/reduction method. The saturation magnetization of the Fe/ZnO samples is relatively high due to the core alpha-Fe particles. According to the transmission electron microscopy image, the Fe nanoparticles are coated with a thin shell of ZnO. Being encapsulated, the nanoparticles are stable in ambient environment. The photoluminescence spectrum recorded at room temperature display ultraviolet band at 390 nm as well as three broader bands at 522, 635, and 700 nm in the region of green to infrared. Such phenomena differ from those reported in previous publications.