Energy transfer from TiO2 nanocrystals to Tb3+ ions incorporated into silica

Titania nanocrystals about 100 nm in size have exhibited a phenomenon related to the quantum size effect. The presence of nanocrystals in a three-component material (viz. Tb3+ ions and TiO2 nanoparticles entrapped in a silica matrix) suggests energy transfer from excited TiO2 nanocrystals to emitting Tb3+ ions takes place and consequently improve luminescence emission intensity. The effect is possible when semiconductor nanoparticles and Tb3+ ions are immobilized in a porous matrix by the impregnation method.