Core–shell ZnO:Ga-SiO$_2$ nanocrystals: limiting particle agglomeration and increasing luminescence via surface defect passivation

Heat treatment is needed to increase the luminescence intensity of ZnO:Ga particles, but it comes at the cost of higher particle agglomeration. Higher agglomeration results in low transparency of scintillating powder when embedded in a matrix and constitutes one of the biggest disadvantages, besides low light yield and low stopping power, of ZnO:Ga powder. Limiting ZnO:Ga particle size is therefore a key step in order to prepare highly luminescent and transparent composites with prospects for optical applications. In this work, SiO$_{2}$ coating was successfully used to improve luminescence intensity or limitation of crystallite size growth during further annealing. Furthermore, ZnO:Ga and ZnO:Ga-SiO$_{2}$ core–shells were embedded in a polystyrene matrix.