Co-doping effect of CaS and Nd2S3 nanocrystallites on luminescence properties of sol–gel SiO2 xerogel

The synthesis and photoluminescence characteristics of a porous phosphor silica xerogel containing CaS and Nd2S3 nanoparticles entrapped in a sol–gel silica network are discussed. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron micrograph (TEM), UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy have been performed. The observed luminescence is assigned to CaS and Nd2S3 nanoparticles embedded in the sol–gel silica xerogel. Transmission electron micrographs of doped samples revealed the presence of CaS and Nd2S3 nanoparticles with average diameters of 10–20 nm. Two emission bands have been observed from co-doped sample.