Luminescence property of Ce3+-doped silica decorated with S2− and Cl− anions

Ce3+-doped silica was synthesized by sol–gel technique and was further decorated with S2− and Cl− anions through chemical exchange in controlled ambient at elevated temperature. The structure and optical property of samples were examined by X-ray diffraction spectrum, XPS pattern, reflection pattern, and photoluminescence patterns. There is a broad luminescence band at 445 nm under the excitation at 320 nm in the Ce3+-doped silica heat-treated in air at 1000 °C. The heat-treatment of the sample in vacuum at 800 °C can increase the intensity of luminescence but have no effect on the wavelength of luminescence. The decoration of S2− and Cl− anions cannot only increase the luminescent intensity but also shift the luminescent wavelength to shorter wavelength.