Functionalized Mesoporous SBA-15 with CeF(3): Eu(3+) Nanoparticle by Three Different Methods: Synthesis, Characterization, and Photoluminescence

Luminescence functionalization of the ordered mesoporous SBA-15 silica is realized by depositing a CeF(3): Eu(3+) phosphor layer on its surface (denoted as CeF(3): Eu(3+)/SBA-15/IS, CeF(3): Eu(3+)/SBA-15/SI and CeF(3): Eu(3+)/SBA-15/SS) using three different methods, which are reaction in situ (I-S), solution impregnation (S-I) and solid phase grinding synthesis (S-S), respectively. The structure, morphology, porosity, and optical properties of the materials are well characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N(2) adsorption, and photoluminescence spectra. These materials all have high surface area, uniformity in the mesostructure and crystallinity. As expected, the pore volume, surface area, and pore size of SBA-15 decrease in sequence after deposition of the CeF(3): Eu(3+) nanophosphors. Furthermore, the efficient energy transfer in mesoporous material mainly occurs between the Ce(3+) and the central Eu(3+) ion. They show the characteristic emission of Ce(3+) 5d → 4f (200–320 nm) and Eu(3+)(5)D(0) → (7)F(J)(J = 1–4, with (5)D(0) → (7)F(1) orange emission at 588 nm as the strongest one) transitions, respectively. In addition, for comparison, the mesoporous material CeF(3): Eu(3+)/SBA-15/SS exhibits the characteristic emission of Eu(3+) ion under UV irradiation with higher luminescence intensity than the other materials.