Facile flame synthesis and photoluminescent properties of core/shell TiO2/SiO2 nanoparticles

Core/shell TiO2/SiO2 nanoparticles have been synthesized successfully by a facile flame method. The structural and optical properties of these TiO2/SiO2 particles are investigated using the X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Both anatase and rutile phase TiO2 can be found in the products. With addition of SiO2 into the matrix, the transformation from anatase to rutile has been hindered due to the surface modification of SiO2. The luminescence has been enhanced remarkably with the addition of SiO2, and the effect of the SiO2 layer on the optical properties is also discussed.