Fluorescence characteristics of Dy3+/CdS nanocrystals doped silica xerogel

Cadmium sulfide semiconductor nanocrystals along with dysprosium ions were incorporated in silica xerogels through sol–gel route. The fluorescence properties were analyzed for samples annealed at different temperatures. The incorporation of the CdS semiconductors as nanocrystallites was confirmed from the HRTEM measurements. The fluorescence intensities were compared for Dy3+, CdS and Dy3+/CdS-doped silica xerogels. Enhanced blue emission was observed for codoped samples annealed up to 100 °C.