Sm Doping Research Articles

Structural, Morphological, Optical, and Room Temperature Magnetic Characterization on Pure and Sm-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles

Nano crystalline Zn1-xSmxO, (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.10), were prepared by wet chemical coprecipitation method. The effect of samarium doping on the structural, morphological, optical, and magnetic properties of ZnO nanoparticles was examined by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV) and M-H magnetic hysteresis. XRD analysis showed the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO. The absence of Sm2O3as separate phase may be attributed to the complete dissolving of samarium in ZnO lattice. The lattice parameters (aandc) of Zn1-xSmxO were calculated and they fluctuated with the increase of Sm doping which indicated that the structure of ZnO was perturbed by the doping of Sm. The crystallite size was computed for all the samples using Debye-Scherrer’s method. The crystallite size decreased with the increase of Sm doping. TEM micrographs revealed that the size and the shape of the ZnO nanocomposites were changed by modifying the doping level of samarium. FTIR analysis spectrum confirmed the formation of ZnO phase and revealed a peak shift between pure and Sm-doped ZnO. The band gap energy and Urbach energy were calculated for Zn1-xSmxO, (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.10). The band energy gaps of pure and Sm doped ZnO samples are in the range 2.6–2.98 eV. M-H hysteresis inspection, at room temperature, showed that the pure ZnO exhibited a ferromagnetic behavior incorporated with diamagnetic and paramagnetic contributions. Ferromagnetic behavior was reduced for the doped samples withx=0.01andx=0.04. The samples withx=0.02and 0.06 ≤ x ≤ 0.10 tend to be superparamagnetic. The saturation magnetization (Ms), the coercivity (Hc), and the retentivity (Mr) were recorded for Zn1-xSmxO, (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.10).

Role of Sm dopant on structural, optical and efficient visible light photocatalytic performance of CdS nanoparticles by using simple wet chemical route

The present work reported the samarium (Sm) doped CdS nanostructures synthesized via using co-precipitation method from cadmium and sulphide particle arrangements with no ligands at different temperature arrangement and amalgamation time. Structural, compositional, valance state and optical properties of the prepared samples were investigated using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM/EDS mapping), X-ray photoelectron, Fourier transform infrared red, UV–Vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopes. XRD and TEM results suggest that Sm doped CdS samples were cubic structure with spherical shaped morphology with average diameter of around 14–28 nm. The prepared Sm doped CdS nanoparticles showed the superior photocatalytic activity for the degradation of RhB under visible light (λ > 420 nm) irradiation, and 15 mol% Sm-doped CdS was found to be highly efficient for organic pollutants RhB and MB removal. Moreover, this catalyst showed improved stability, and the activity did not decrease significantly after seven recycles. This could be attributed to creation of electron–hole pairs and inhibit their recombination process by Sm doping. The improved mechanism by Sm doping is also discussed in detail.

Sm-doped CdS thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis: a structural, optical, and electrical examination

Virgin and Sm-doped CdS thin films were prepared by spray pyrolysis route on glass substrates. The influences of Sm-doping amount on structural, topographical, optical and electrical properties were examined. It was found from X-ray diffraction data that virgin and 1 and 2 at.% Sm-doped CdS samples grew along (002) plane whereas the preferred orientation changed to (101) starting from Sm doping of 3 at.%. Morphological investigation showed that even though CdS specimen had irregular shaped grains, Sm-doping substantially modified the surface topography of CdS thin films. A maximum transmittance were attained for 4 at.% Sm-doped CdS sample. After Sm-doping, a slight increase was observed in the band gap value of CdS thin films. It was found from the room temperature photoluminescence data that compared to the virgin CdS, the intrinsic defect population of Sm-doped CdS thin films reduced, meaning that more stoichiometric films formed. From the electrical measurements, it was determined that 1 at.% Sm-doped CdS thin films exhibited the best electrical properties, i.e., maximum carrier density and minimum resistivity. Based on all the data, it could be pronounced that 4 at.% Sm-doped CdS displayed the best optical properties, whereas the optimum electrical characteristics were reached for 1 at.% Sm-doped CdS thin films.

Effect of samarium doping on the nucleation of fcc-aluminum in undercooled liquids

The effect of Sm doping on the fcc-Al nucleation was investigated in Al-Sm liquids with low Sm concentrations (xSm) with molecular dynamics simulations. The nucleation in the moderately undercooled liquid is achieved by the recently developed persistent-embryo method. Systematically computing the nucleation rate with different xSm (xSm = 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 5%) at 700 K, we found Sm dopant reduces the nucleation rate by up to 25 orders of magnitudes with only 5% doping concentration. This effect is mostly associated with the increase in the free energy barrier with minor contribution from suppression of the attachment to the nucleus caused by Sm doping.

Effect of Sm doping and annealing on magnetic and structural properties of sputter deposited SnO2 thin films

SmxSn1−xO2 thin films (with x = 0, 0.005, 0.02 and 0.04) were sputter deposited on Si (100) substrates and its physical properties were investigated. The as-deposited thin films were amorphous; however after electron beam rapid thermal annealing became polycrystalline tetragonal phase [JCPDS21-1250]. The preferred crystal growth orientation of the annealed thin films were along (101) plane, in contrast with its bulk where it is along (110) plane. However in both cases the crystallinity of SmxSn1−xO2 thin films reduced with increase in Sm dopant concentration. The annealed thin films showed continuous grain distribution, with linear increase in grain size from ∼12 to ∼52 nm with increase in Sm dopant concentration. Maximum magnetization of 0.031 emu was observed in annealed Sm0.04Sn0.96O2 thin film. The observed weak ferromagnetism in the thin films could have originated from the induced oxygen vacancies through Sm substitution and electron beam rapid thermal annealing in high vacuum. It was also observed that the optical absorption of doped SnO2 thin films (in 300 to 800 nm range) decreased by Sm doping. These observations suggest that Sm doped SnO2 thin films can be potentially used for dilute magnetic semiconductor and solar cell application.

Selective allylic oxidation of cyclohexene over a novel nanostructured CeO2–Sm2O3/SiO2 catalyst

Selective allylic oxidation of cyclohexene was investigated over nanostructured CeO2/SiO2 and CeO2–Sm2O3/SiO2 catalysts synthesized by a feasible deposition precipitation method. The CeO2–Sm2O3/SiO2 catalyst showed excellent catalytic efficiency with ~89 % cyclohexene conversion and ~90 % selectivity for allylic products (i.e., 2-cyclohexen-1-ol and 2-cyclohexene-1-one), while only ~50 and ~35 % cyclohexene conversion was observed, respectively, over CeO2/SiO2 and CeO2 catalysts. Systematic characterization of the designed catalysts was undertaken to correlate their catalytic activity with the physicochemical properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurements, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and NH3-temperature programmed desorption (TPD) techniques. The results revealed that doping of Sm3+ into the ceria lattice and simultaneous dispersion of resultant Ce–Sm mixed oxides on the silica surface led to improved structural, acidic, and catalytic properties. The better catalytic efficiency of CeO2–Sm2O3/SiO2 was due to high specific surface area, more structural defects, and high concentration of strong acid sites, stimulated by synergistic interaction between various oxides in the catalyst. The cyclohexene conversion and selectivity for allylic products depended on the reaction temperature, nature of solvent, molar ratio of cyclohexene to oxidant, and reaction time. Possible reaction pathways are proposed for selective allylic oxidation of cyclohexene towards 2-cyclohexen-1-ol and 2-cyclohexene-1-one products. SiO2-supported CeO2–Sm2O3 nanocatalyst exhibited outstanding catalytic performance with superior selectivity for allylic products in liquid-phase selective oxidation of cyclohexene under mild reaction conditions.

Sol–gel synthesis and photocatalytic activity of ZnO–Ag–Sm nanoparticles for water treatment

ZnO–Ag–Sm nanoparticles with excellent photocatalytic performance were synthesized through a simple sol–gel method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurement (BET) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The presence of Ag nanoparticles and samarium doping acted as trapping centers and promoted the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and thus enhanced the photocatalytic activity. Ag nanoparticles with a diameter of ~ 4 nm were decorated on the surface of ZnO. The results indicated that ZnO–Ag–Sm exhibited much faster rate in photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) than ZnO and ZnO–Ag. Ag addition and Sm doping leaded to a red-shift in the absorption band and increased visible light absorption. Finally, a mechanism was proposed for the photocatalytic activity of ZnO–Ag–Sm nanoparticles.

Effect of Sm3+ and Zr4+ codoping on the magnetic, ferroelectric and magnetodielectric properties of sonochemically synthesized BiFeO3 nanorods

The practical application of the existing multiferroic materials is crucially dependent on research aimed at improving their multiferroic and magnetodielectric properties. Here we explore the effect of Sm3+ and Zr4+ codoping on the magnetic, ferroelectric and magnetodielectric properties of nanocrystalline BiFeO3. The formation of phase pure undoped and Sm3+/Zr4+ doped BiFeO3 via sonochemical synthesis has been confirmed using powder X ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology of the samples has been verified using electron microscopy techniques like SEM and TEM. The presence of the dopant ions has been established from energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Room temperature ferromagnetism has been observed in Sm3+/Zr4+ doped BiFeO3 which is a marked advancement from the antiferromagnetic behaviour displayed by bulk BiFeO3. This has been attributed to size effects and lattice distortions in the sample. Doping of Sm3+/Zr4+ also decreases the leakage current and considerably improves its ferroelectric properties. Careful evaluation of the results obtained suggest that the suppression of oxygen vacancy related defects is more effective with Sm3+ doping in Bi3+ site compared to acceptor doping of Zr4+ in Fe3+ site of BiFeO3. The observation of enhanced magnetodielectric properties in the Sm3+/Zr4+ doped BiFeO3 suggests potential application of these types of material in memory storage devices in future.

Enhanced magnetization and bias voltage-dependent dielectric properties of Sm-doped BiFeO3 multiferroic nanofibers

The simultaneous enhancement of magnetic and ferroelectric properties of one-dimensional nanostructured bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) is highly desired due to their potential applications in nanoscale devices, such as multistate memory device and micro-magnetoelectric sensor. Sm-doped BiFeO3 nanofibers were synthesized by a sol–gel-based electrospinning process. The as-fabricated nanofibers show significantly enhanced magnetization due to the suppressed periodic spin cycloid and the uncompensated surface spins. The magnetization of Bi0.90Sm0.10FeO3 nanofibers is nearly twice as much as that of the nanoparticles at the same doping level. More importantly, Sm-doped BiFeO3 nanofibers hold the higher dielectric constant and stronger DC bias-dependent dielectric constant due to the enhanced polarization by Sm doping. Temperature-dependent dielectric constant and dissipation factor suggest that the dielectric properties of Sm-doped BiFeO3 nanofibers remain stable below 250 °C, providing a wide temperature range for applications in memory devices or sensors. The tuning of magnetic and ferroelectric properties of the Sm-doped BiFeO3 nanofibers appears to be very promising for achieving multifunctionality in a single material.

Defects and oxygen vacancies tailored structural and optical properties in CeO2 nanoparticles doped with Sm3+ cation

In this study, the correlation between the concentration of dopant ions and oxygen vacancy defect of Sm-doped CeO2 Nano-particles (NPs) were investigated systematically by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Ultraviolet–visible-Near Infrared spectroscopy (UV–Vis–NIR) and Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The nano-crystalline Ce1−xSmxO2 (x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10) samples were synthesized using co-precipitation chemical route. The XRD measurements revealed that Sm3+ ions are successfully incorporated at the Ce4+ ion sites in the face centered cubic (fcc) lattice of CeO2 NPs. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Selected area electron diffraction (SEAD) patterns were analyzed to study the surface morphology, crystallinity, atomic structure of the samples. The average particle size calculated with TEM images was obtained in the range of 5–8 nm for Ce1−xSmxO2 samples for all the doping concentrations. The UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy and Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy were analyzed to investigate the optical properties and defect structure in these NPs. The UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy measurements revealed that due to aggregation of particles the optical band gap energy was varied with fluencies of Sm3+ ions as well as due to particle size variations of NPs. Peak asymmetry and broadening of Raman active mode further ascribed the presence of oxygen vacancy (whether extrinsic or intrinsic), which were varied with the fluencies of Sm3+ ions in CeO2 NPs. This paper presented a systematic study on the fluencies of Sm doping in CeO2 nano-particle lattice to understand the role of vacancies, intrinsic and extrinsic oxygen vacancies and their effect on tailoring the structural and optical properties of doped CeO2 nano-particles for various applications like luminescent materials, oxygen transportation, catalysts, ultraviolet fuel cells, corrosion prevention etc.

Effect of dilute concentrations of Sm on the temperature‐dependent electrical and dielectric properties of ZnO

AbstractCompounds of undoped and samarium (Sm) doped ZnO have been prepared by standard solid‐state reaction method. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Williamson‐Hall (W‐H) analysis, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), temperature‐dependent electrical and dielectric studies have been done to characterize these materials. Inclusion of Sm as dopant in hexagonal wurtzite ZnO changes the lattice parameters to a small extent with some Sm aggregation at higher concentration. Also, the mean particle sizes of ZnO:Sm compounds showed an inter‐correlation with the Scherrer method, W‐H analysis as well as with TEM results. The electrical resistivity depicts an exponential decay and metal‐semiconductor transition (MST) at ~300 K for the pristine sample whereas there is large decrement in the resistivity with Sm doping. The analysis of σac of ZnO suggests that the power law is obeyed and indicated an increase in the ac conductivity with Sm content. The mechanism behind this type of conductivity is elucidated by small polaron tunneling (SPT) model of conductivity. The dependence of ln dc on the temperature inverse shows that the traps of electrons are thermally activated such that low and high temperature activation energies confirm the presence of vacancies and interstitials of both O and Zn ions. Thus, a high value of dielectric constant makes these materials suitable for high frequency and charge storage device applications.

Insights into the Sm/Zr co-doping effects on N2 selectivity and SO2 resistance of a MnOx-TiO2 catalyst for the NH3-SCR reaction

A series of Sm- and/or Zr-doped MnOx-TiO2 catalysts were prepared, and the catalysts exhibited better N2 selectivity and SO2 resistance than the undoped MnOx-TiO2 catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH3 (NH3-SCR). The reasons for the good N2 selectivity and SO2 resistance of the catalysts were proposed. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested that electron transfer between the manganese and samarium species by Mn4+ + Sm2+ ↔ Mn3+ + Sm3+ redox cycles occurred in the Sm-containing catalysts. Furthermore, electron transfer from Sm2+ to Mn4+ suppressed electron transfer from NH3 to Mn4+, inhibiting the formation of NH2 or NH. Thus, the pathway for NH generation was removed, and the reaction of 2NH + 4NO → 3N2O + H2O was prevented. Consequently, the N2 selectivity of the NH3-SCR reaction was enhanced. In situ diffused reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (in situ DRIFTS) combined with thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry and mass spectrometry (TG-DSC-MS) results revealed that the deposition rate of sulfate species decreases after Sm doping, which was also attributed to the suppressed electron transfer from SO2 to Mn4+, i.e., the oxidation of SO2 to SO3. Thus, the catalysts exhibited better SO2 resistance.

Synthesis and Photoluminescence Properties of BaWO4:RE3+ (RE = Eu or Sm) Phosphors

BaWO4:RE3+ (RE = Eu or Sm) phosphor powders were prepared with different doping concentrations of the activator ion by using the conventional solid-state reaction method. The dependences in the crystal structure, luminescence intensity, and morphology on the Eu3+ and the Sm3+ concentrations in BaWO4 were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence spectrophotometry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. XRD analysis showed tetragonal BaWO4 structures for all the phosphors synthesized, regardless of the type and the doping concentration of the activator ion. SEM images indicated that as the concentration of activator ions was increased, the crystalline particles showed an increasing tendency to agglomerate irregularly. The room temperature excitation spectra of Eu3+- or Sm3+-doped BaWO4 phosphors consisted of a broad charge transfer band in the ultraviolet region and several sharp 4f-4f transitions. When Eu3+-doped BaWO4 phosphors were excited at 274 nm, the emission spectra exhibited sharp bands due to inner shell transitions occurring from the excited energy state 5D0 to the lower energy levels 7F J (J = 1, 2, 3, and 4). For Sm3+-doped BaWO4 phosphors, three intense emission peaks at 568, 603, and 649 nm and a very weak line at 712 nm were observed. The highest asymmetry ratio-the intensity ratio of the 4G5/2 → 6H9/2 electric dipole to the 4G5/2 → 6H5/2 magnetic dipole transitions-was obtained for 1 mol% doping of Sm3+, indicating that the Sm3+ ions occupied the non-inversion symmetry sites.

Microwave Assisted Synthesis and Oxidation Resistance of Sm3+ Doped Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

In this study, pure and Sm3+ doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared via a microwave assisted synthesis in water solution. The samples were characterized by TEM, XRD, XANES, and VSM techniques. The structure and morphology, Fe and Sm oxidation states, the oxidation resistance and magnetic properties of pure and Sm doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles were studied. TEM and XRD results show that Sm doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles have a good dispersion and are smaller than pure Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The Fe and Sm oxidation states of pure and Sm doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles were studied by means of XANES analysis. The magnetic properties of Sm doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles determined by VSM exhibit superparamagnetic behavior with high saturation magnetization. It was found that Sm doping in a small amount makes it possible not only to reduce the sizes of magnetite nanoparticles but also to improve their oxidation resistance and increase their saturation magnetization value. These pure and Sm doped Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles are expected to be used in a number of biomedical applications.

Effect of Sm doping ZnO nanorods on structural optical and electrical properties of Schottky diodes prepared by chemical bath deposition

In this study, pure and Sm doped ZnO nanorods from 0.0 to 5.5 at% were synthesized using the chemical bath deposition method at 90 °C. The effect of Sm doping of ZnO nanorods on their structural, morphology and optical properties were investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that Sm had been successfully incorporated into the ZnO lattice and no other impurities or Sm oxide phases were detected. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images showed that the growth rate of the nanorods was suppressed by Sm doping. Room temperature Raman scattering spectroscopy revealed that the relative intensity of E2(high) mode decreased and shifted slightly towards a lower wavenumber in Sm doped ZnO when compared to the undoped ZnO nanorods. The photoluminescence spectrum of as-synthesized Sm-doped samples measured at room temperature shows that the UV emission is slightly red shifted and the green-yellow emission of the visible emission is enhanced, when compared to undoped samples. Photoluminescence studies also revealed the good crystal quality of the as-synthesized samples as all sample shows strong ultraviolet and weak deep-level emission peaks. The as-synthesized samples were also characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy that revealed the presence of Zn and O in all samples and a small amount of Sm in 5.5 at% Sm doped ZnO was detected. Furthermore, the current-voltage characteristics of a fabricated Schottky diodes showed a good rectifying behavior when ZnO doped with Sm at 1.5 at%. The obtained Schottky barrier height for pure and Sm doped ZnO nanorods were 0.55 eV and 0.72 eV, respectively.

Rare earth Sm3+ co-doped AZO thin films for opto-electronic application prepared by spray pyrolysis

Samarium and aluminium co-doped ZnO (Sm:AZO) thin films were deposited on glass substrate by nebulizer spray pyrolysis technique with different Sm doping concentrations (0at%, 0.5at%, 1at% and 1.5at%). X-ray diffraction patterns confirm the polycrystalline nature of prepared films with hexagonal crystal structure. The average crystallite size was found to be reduced with Sm doping due to increased lattice defects. The Raman spectra exhibited characteristic ZnO wurtzite structure confirmed through the presence of E2-high mode peak at 438cm−1. The surface topology analysis revealed uniformly distributed wheat shaped particles without any pinholes for 1at% Sm doped ZnO film. Sm:AZO films displayed high transparency which is around 90% and the energy gap of ~ 3.30eV. Photoluminescence spectra of the thin films showed an UV emission peak at ~ 386nm corresponds to near band edge (NBE) emission of bulk ZnO. Room temperature Hall Effect measurement showed that all the prepared films possess n-type conducting nature with low electrical resistivity (ρ) 4.31 × 10−4Ωcm for 1at% Sm doped film. High figure of merit (ф) value of ~ 11.9 × 10−3 (Ω/cm)−1 was observed which indicates that the deposited films are highly suitable for opto-electronic device applications.

Room temperature ferromagnetic and optical properties of rare earth Sm-doped tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) gallium thin films

The development of room temperature organic magnets is long viewed as great challenge in chemistry, physics, materials science, and spintronics. Here, room temperature ferromagnetic properties of rare earth Sm-doped tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) gallium (GaQ3) molecular thin films prepared by thermally co-evaporating Sm metals and GaQ3 powders were reported. X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and density functional theory analysis suggest that the doped Sm atom bonds with N atoms on different hydroxyquinoline ligands. The room temperature ferromagnetism is attributed to the extremely large energy difference (594meV) between the ferromagnetic ground state and the antiferromagnetic state. Furthermore, photoluminescence experiments show that the films emit green light at room temperature. Our experiments may be helpful for the development of molecular ferromagnetic optoelectronic materials for the use of novel multifunctional optoelectronic and spintronic devices.

Effect of Annealing on the Structural and Magnetic Properties of 3% Sm Doped ZnO

The present study focuses on the structural and magnetic properties of Sm doped ZnO at 3% concentrations. These compounds have been synthesized by a chemical coprecipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and magnetization method (M– H). The XRD pattern of all the samples showed ZnO hexagonal wurtzite structure with sharp and intense peaks with small change in lattice parameters due to Sm doping in ZnO, indicating the substitution of Sm ion for Zn sites. Magnetic measurements show an enhancement in room temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) with Sm doping. Ferromagnetic behavior exists over and above the diamagnetic behavior, RTFM related to The Zn vacancies and diamagnetic (which exists over alarge scale) related to the oxygen vacancies which mediate the interaction of dopant ions.

Influence of A-site Sm Doping on Structural and Electrical Property of 0.93Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-0.07BaTiO3 Lead Free Ceramics

Influence of A-site Sm Doping on Structural and Electrical Property of 0.93Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃-0.07BaTiO₃ Lead Free Ceramics

Optical characteristics of samarium doped ZnAl2O4 nanomaterials synthesized by vibrational milling process

Optical and fluorescence properties of samarium (Sm) doped zinc aluminate host matrix (Sm:ZnAl2O4) was studied. Sm:ZnAl2O4 nanopowder was synthesized by vibrational milling process assisted with calcination treatment. Structural and optical properties of Sm:ZnAl2O4 nanopowders were investigated via the crucial parameter of different doping concentration. Structural properties of as-synthesized samples and Sm: ZnAl2O4 powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. For optical properties, Sm: ZnAl2O4 phosphor materials were analyzed via diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The preliminary results suggested that Sm: ZnAl2O4 powders were identically in spinel crystalline phase as host ZnAl2O4 structure affirmed by XRD result. SEM images indicated the Sm:ZnAl2O4 after the synthesis distinctly obtained in ultrafine power due to the effect of several milling round and sintering process. The optical properties in reflectance mode of Sm:ZnAl2O4 samples were significantly increased by the presence of Sm dopant in ZnAl2O4 structure. Meanwhile, the luminescent materials showed red emissions under visible light excitation in range of 650-730 nm by PL spectra. The improvement of ZnAl2O4 photoluminescence property was obviously obtained at 0.5 wt.% Sm due to photon transfer from Sm to host material.