Enhanced photoluminescence of Ce³⁺induced by an energy transfer from ZnO nanoparticles encapsulated in SiO₂

Abstract

ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized and successfully incorporated in Ce3+-doped SiO2 matrix by a sol–gel method. Photoluminescence intensities were compared for ZnO nanoparticles, Ce3+-doped SiO2 (SiO2:Ce3+) and ZnO encapsulated in SiO2:Ce3+ (ZnO–SiO2:Ce3+) fabricated from sol–gels. Green emission from ZnO associated with anionic oxygen vacancies and blue broadband emission due to transitions in Ce3+ ions were observed. The photoluminescence intensity of Ce3+ was enhanced considerably by the energy transfer from ZnO nanoparticles.