Preparation of light emitting material by thermal treatment of rice husks

Abstract

White photoluminescence (PL) from rice husks after treatment of oxidation in Air at 400°C following carbonization in N2 at 500-900°C was demonstrated at room temperature. The PL intensity was strong enough to detect by naked eye in daylight under the irradiation of 370nm light from LED type flashlight. Carbon in rice husk was decreased by thermal treatment by forming of CO or CO2 gases but kept cell wall structure. Remained carbon bonded with silicon and/or oxygen and formed amorphous-SiOC structure. The amorphous-SiOC structure is speculated to concern with white PL property. © 2011 Ceramic Society of Japan.