Synthesis and optical properties of luminescent core-shell structured silicate and phosphate nanoparticles

Monodisperse, luminescent core-shell structured inorganic nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel technology. They exhibit an amorphous SiO2 core and a crystalline luminescent shell. Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ and Ca-10(PO4)(6)OH:Eu3+ shell materials are investigated. The influence of the doping concentration on optical and structural properties was studied. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.