Synthesis and optical characterization of SiO2/Zn2SiO4:Mn nanocomposite

Manganese-doped Zn2SiO4 particles imbedded in silica host matrix were successfully prepared by a simple solid-phase reaction under natural atmosphere at 1200 °C for 2 h after the incorporation of ZnO:Mn nanoparticles in silica aerogel monolith using sol–gel method with supercritical drying of ethyl alcohol in two steps. The obtained sample, exhibits a strong photoluminescence (PL) bands in the visible range at 525 and 610 nm. Photoluminescence excitation (PLE) measurements show different origins of the emission. It was suggested that electronic transition associated with Mn2+ ions in willemite and the presence of Mn2+ in intensive crystal field were responsible for theses luminescence bands. In the other hand, this emission of the final composite is time stable: no change in the spectra was observed even after being aged for over 1 year.