Effect of MgO doping on the luminescent properties of ZnO

Zn1−xMgxO pellets were synthesized using traditional solid-reaction method and luminescent properties were investigated. ZnO doped with MgO reveals long afterglow emission that can last for more than 10 min after the samples were sintered in sealed crucible above a certain temperature. The emission spectra of Zn1−xMgxO (0 < x < 1) can be Gaussian fit to two peaks, and the relative intensity of the two emission peaks alters with increasing the sintering temperature. The position of the two emission peaks shows slight red shift when the sintering temperature increases from 1100 to 1250 °C and remains unchanged even though the sintering temperature is further increased. The emission peak in the green region is similar with the single emission band of ZnO, while that in the orange region is related to the long-lasting phosphorescence.