Luminescence studies and formation mechanism of symmetrically dispersed ZnO quantum dots embedded in SiO2 matrix

Surface effects significantly influence the functionality of semiconductor nanocrystals. In the current work we present synthesis of ZnO quantum dots (QD) vis-a-vis symmetrically dispersed ZnO quantum dots embedded in SiO2 matrix and discussed their optical properties to understand the role of the surface effects. These nanomaterials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier transform infrared (FTIR), absorption (UV-visible) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. TEM studies confirm the formation of ZnO nanophosphors inside the SiO2 matrix in highly symmetrical manner. These symmetrically dispersed ZnO@SiO2 nanophosphors exhibited enhanced stable emission over uncoated sample and would permit the conjugation of the nanocrystals to biological entities after functionalization. Furthermore, the mechanism behind the formation of symmetrically dispersed ZnO quantum dots embedded in SiO2 matrix was discussed in detail. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.