Synthesis and characterization of Ce3+ doped silica (SiO2) nanoparticles

► This work involves investigating the properties of Ce3+ doped SiO2 prepared by sol-gel method. ► This cheap and easy process poses great potential for nano-sized particle synthesis. ► Emission enhancement due to energy transfer between nano-sized SiO2 and Ce3+ ions were investigated. ► The luminescence properties depended significantly on the concentration of the Ce3+ ions in cooperated.