Controllable preparation and fluorescence properties of Y3+ and Eu3+ co-doped mesoporous silica

The controllable preparation and forming mechanism of rare-earth Y3+ and Eu3+ chemically co-doped fluorescent mesoporous silica were studied in detail. Their structures, morphologies, chemical compositions and emission properties were characterized and evaluated by small angle X-ray scattering, nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, inductive coupled plasma-atomic emission, X-ray photoelectron spectra and fluorescent spectroscopy. The results show that chemical composition of the resultant mesoporous materials were significantly affected by solution acidity condition, and can be effectively adjusted by varying the feed ratio of raw materials at a suitable solution acidity condition. These materials with a well-ordered two-dimensional hexagonal mesoporous structure and high specific surface area exhibit significantly broadened emission band from 526 to 682 nm and the fluorescent emission mechanism and influence of materials structure on optical properties were investigated.