Photoluminescence and ultra-fast decay profiles of rare-earth (III) ion-doped semiconductor nanocrystals encapsulated in silica nanotube AMCM-41/CdxZn1−xS: Eu3+, Tb3+

Luminescence, time-resolved luminescence and decay profiles are measured in order to investigate quantum-confinement effects in alumina(Al2O3)-modified MCM-41 silica nanotubes doped with ZnxCd1−xS:Eu3+, Tb3+ nanocrystals at temperatures down to 10 K. In comparison with bulk materials, in the presence of vibronic luminescence bands, luminescence spectral characteristics are found associated with SiO2 centers, a new f–f transition mechanism and very short (600 ps) lifetime features due to surface-bound centers.