ZnO crystals supported by hollow SiO2 nanoparticles with fluorescent property

Abstract

Preparation of a fluorescent ZnO/h-SiO2 nanoparticle was proposed using Zn(OAc)2 with NaOH. It exhibited a strong yellow emission. The key factor was micropores (1.45 nm) in the SiO2 shell. The bandgap energy of the ZnO was higher (3.24 eV) than that of commercial ZnO. An XPS analysis indicated the formation of oxygen vacancies in the ZnO.