The Many Faces of Zinc Oxide

Three clear laboratory cuvettes are standing side-by-side against a dark background. Each is filled with a different glowing liquid: the one on the left is a bright neon pink, the middle one is a cloudy pale white, and the one on the right is a vivid cyan. The lighting makes the solutions look like they are fluorescing, casting a soft glow against the glass walls of the containers.

Label: The Many Faces of Zinc Oxide
Artist: Raul Ortega
Description: This work depicts the photoluminescence of zinc oxide nanocrystals. Different emission colors can be achieved through multiple structural manipulations of these nanocrystals. In this work, green is chromium (III) doped zinc oxide, yellow is quantum confined zinc oxide, and red is europium (III) doped zinc aluminum oxide. The ability to manipulate the color of a phosphor is useful for the design of white light LEDs for lighting applications.
Type: Cell Phone Camera
Artist Affiliation: Graduate Student
Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry
Area of Research: Nanoparticle synthesis
Date: 2021