Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of novel core–shell–shell SiO2@CePO4:Tb@SiO2 submicro-spheres

A novel core–shell–shell SiO2@CePO4:Tb@SiO2 submicro-sphere was controllably synthesized by a bridging ligand organosilane HOOCC6H4N(CONH(CH2)3Si(OCH2CH3)3)2 (MABA-Si) connecting the silica core and rare earth ions. The as-synthesized samples were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and infrared spectroscopy (IR). It is found that SiO2@CePO4:Tb@SiO2 has a ∼25 nm outermost shell, a ∼4 nm intermediate shell, and a ∼200 nm core. SiO2@CePO4:Tb@SiO2 exhibits stable photoluminescence properties in aqueous solution: its photoluminescence intensity was unquenched even after 15 days. The core–shell–shell submicro-spheres were found to have better photoluminescence than the core–shell submicro-spheres because the SiO2 shell protected the phosphor materials and then improved its photoluminescence intensity and biocompatibility. A formation mechanism of the core–shell–shell SiO2@CePO4:Tb@SiO2 submicro-spheres was proposed. Thus, the low-cost preparation of the core–shell–shell SiO2@CePO4:Tb@SiO2 submicro-spheres could be rationally achieved using SiO2.