Size dependence of Eu2+ fluorescence in ZnS:Eu2+ nanoparticles
The emission bands of the 4.2, 3.2 and 2.6 nm sized ZnS:Eu2+ nanoparticles are peaking at 670, 580 and 520 nm, respectively. The emission of the 4.2 nm sized nanoparticles originates from the recombination of the Eu2+-bound exciton, while the emission of the 3.2 and 2.6 nm sized nanoparticles is from the Eu2+ intra-ion transition of 4f(6)5d(1)(t(2g))-4f(7). Possible mechanisms for the size depende