Eu3+ ions were bonded to ZnO ceramic via organic ligand. Surface bonded Eu3+ ions were exhibited specific luminescence bands due to electron transitions between f-f intra-configurationally transitions. Further enhancement of luminescence bands was observed by attaching selected oligomers to Eu3+ ions. A hetero-junction was prepared by depositing copper-thiocyanate on Eu3+ ions bonded ZnO ceramic. Red light emission was observed from surface bonded Eu3+ ions in ZnO:Eu3+vertical bar CuSCN hetero-junction under reverse bias. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V.