Synthesis and Characterization of Monodisperse Spherical SiO<sub>2</sub>@Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>: Tb<sup>3+</sup> Particles with Core-Shell Structure

Abstract

Spherical submicron SiO2 particles have been coated with luminescent Y2O3: Tb3+ layers by a Pechini sol-gel process, resulting in the formation of SiO2@Y2O3: Tb3+ core-shell particles. The obtained core–shell phosphors have perfect spherical shape with narrow size distribution (average size ca. 450 nm), smooth surface and non-agglomeration. The thickness of shells could be easily controlled by changing the number of deposition cycles (35 nm for two deposition cycles). Under the excitation of ultraviolet, the Tb3+ ion mainly shows its characteristic emissions in the core-shell particles from Y2O3: Tb3+) shells. The emission intensity of Tb3+ can be tuned by the annealing temperature and the number of coating cycles.