Nano-ZnO embedded SiO_2 glass with intense ultraviolet emission

摘要

The nano-ZnO embedded SiO_2 glass was prepared by a four-step process: (1) formation of colloidal suspension of Zn(OH)_2, (2) synthesis of silica sol, (3) mixture of Zn(OH)_2 colloidal suspension and silica sol to form precursor glass, and (4) annealing of the precursor glass to obtain the nano-ZnO embedded glass. The results presented herein focused on the structural characterization and photoluminescence (PL) characteristics of the nano-ZnO embedded glass. It is shown that the PL intensity of the ultraviolet emission of the glass was dependent on the preparation conditions, and the pure ultraviolet emission could be controlled by the pH value of the colloidal suspension of Zn(OH)_2 and the silica sol.