Synthesis, Structure, and Optical Properties of SiO2:Eu3+ Nanowires

Graphical SiO 2 :Eu 3+ nanowires are prepared by a solvothermal method followed by subsequent calcination and acid washing processes. A possible formation mechanism is proposed in detail. In the solvothermal process, ethylenediamine (EDA) bridges between Zn ions and SiO 2 :Eu 3+ nanowires by coordination and hydrogen bonding. SiO 2 :Eu 3+ nanowires were prepared by a solvothermal method followed by subsequent calcination and acid washing processes. The structure, morphology, and properties of the products were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The results indicated that the obtained SiO 2 :Eu 3+ nanowires exhibited red emission under ultraviolet light excitation and may have potential applications in optical and biological areas. In addition, a possible formation process for the SiO 2 :Eu 3+ nanowires is proposed in detail.