Incorporation of europium(II) nanostructures into the channels of mesoporous silicon oxy-nitride for enhanced photoluminescence

Divalent europium(II)-doped mesoporous silicon oxy-nitride materials, as a novel type of nanoscopic photoluminescent material, are studied in which the optically active luminescent centers are isolated within the pores. Colorless and transparent blue emitting luminous Eu2+-doped mesoporous silicon oxy-nitride materials were prepared from mesoporous silica via impregnation, nanocasting and nitrogen-assisted carbothermal reduction and nitridation method. The morphology and porosity of the silica remain unchanged during the synthesis process as revealed by SEM images and by nitrogen sorption studies. Photoluminescence studies reveal a strong blue emission band for Eu2+ centered at 425 nm with a quantum efficiency of 47%. The luminescent intensity is greatly influenced by the amount of co-dopant, Al3+ ions.