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

ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized and successfully incorporated in Ce 3+ -doped SiO 2 matrix by a sol–gel method. Photoluminescence intensities were compared for ZnO nanoparticles, Ce 3+ -doped SiO 2 (SiO 2 :Ce 3+ ) and ZnO encapsulated in SiO 2 :Ce 3+ (ZnO–SiO 2 :Ce 3+ ) fabricated from sol–gels. Green emission from ZnO associated with anionic oxygen vacancies and blue broadband emission due to transitions in Ce 3+ ions were observed. The photoluminescence intensity of Ce 3+ was enhanced considerably by the energy transfer from ZnO nanoparticles.