Fabrication and characterization of transparent monolithic nanocomposites between YVO₄:Bi³⁺,Eu³⁺ nanophosphor and TMAS-derived silica

We fabricate monolithic nanocomposites of silica containing YVO ₄:Bi³⁺,Eu³⁺ nanoparticles, which are synthesized by co-precipitation method via a citrate precursor. A basic aqueous solution of tetramethylammonium silicate is chosen as a silica source, since the YVO₄:Bi³⁺,Eu³⁺ nanoparticles can be well-dispersed in this solution. The fabricated nanocomposites are transparent to the naked eye under white light and emit red light under near-UV light excitation through an interband transition of the nanoparticles followed by energy transfer to Eu³⁺. The net optical density at 365.0 nm for the nanocomposite is proportional to its thickness. Furthermore, its net photoluminescence intensity at 619.5 nm is proportional to the net optical density. Both proportional relationships are attributed to negligibly low light scattering intensity of the nanoparticles because of their well-dispersion in silica.