Preparation and photoluminescence property of SiO2:Tb3 + three dimensionally ordered macroporous composites including Ag nanoparticles

• Three dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) materials
• SiO2:Tb3 + 3DOM materials including Ag nanoparticles
• Ag nanoparticles can enhance the light emission of SiO2:Tb3 + 3DOM materials.
• Luminescence enhancement mechanisms of Ag nanoparticles were discussed.

The SiO2:Tb3 + three dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) composites including Ag nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by colloidal crystal template method. The influence of Ag nanoparticles on photoluminescence property of SiO2:Tb3 + 3DOM material was investigated. The results indicate that typical emission bands at 489, 543, 587 and 623 nm from Tb3 + were observed in the SiO2:Tb3 + 3DOM materials under the excitation of 235 nm. The Ag nanoparticles can greatly enhance the light emission from Tb3 + in SiO2:Tb3 + 3DOM material, which was attributed to the increased radiative decay rates of Tb3 + caused by Ag nanoparticles.