Yellow emission of SiO 2 /Zn 2 SiO 4 :Mn nanocomposite synthesized by sol–gel method L. El Mir a,b,⇑ , K. Omri a , J. El Ghoul a , A.S. AL-Hobaib c , H. Dahman a , C. Barthou d a Laboratory of Physics of Materials and Nanomaterials Applied at Environment (LaPhyMNE), Gabes University, Faculty of Sciences in Gabes, Gabes, Tunisia b Al Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), College of Sciences, Departement of Physics, Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia c Institute of Atomic Energy Research, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), P.O. Box 6086, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia d Institut of NanoSciences in Paris (INSP), UPMC Paris 6 University, CNRS UMR 7588, 140 Lourmel Street, F-75015 Paris, France article info Article history: Received 7 November 2013 Accepted 8 November 2013 Available online 15 November 2013 Keywords: Nanocomposite Photoluminescence b-Zn 2 SiO 4 Zinc oxide Optical materials abstract A two-step sol–gel process was used for the preparation of Mn doped b-Zn 2 SiO 4 nanoparticles embedded in silica host matrix after the incorporation of ZnO:Mn nanoparticles in silica monolith. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the phase purity, particle size and morphology. XRD results indicate that pure phase of b-Zn 2 SiO 4 with triclinic structure was obtained after thermal treatment at 1500 °C. However, photoluminescence (PL) technique was investi- gated for optical study. It was illustrated that the Mn doping con- tent influenced the degree of aggregation and luminescence of the nanocomposite. This manganese doped zinc silica phase in silica host matrix, exhibit yellow emission centred at about 575 nm dri- ven by 4 T 1 to 6 A 1 relaxation in Mn 2+ . The crystallinity and lumines- cent property of nanocomposite were investigated. Ó 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction In recent years, many studies have focused on nanomaterials due to their optical electronic, ther- mal, chemical and mechanical properties. Indeed, the synthesis of nanomaterials is now becoming increasingly attractive in technology. Furthermore, the luminescent properties of silicate-based inor- ganic phosphors have been extensively investigated [1]. Among the silicates, one of the promising 0749-6036/$ - see front matter Ó 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.spmi.2013.11.006 ⇑ Corresponding author. E-mail address: Lassaad.ElMir@fsg.rnu.tn (L. El Mir). Superlattices and Microstructures 65 (2014) 248–255 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Superlattices and Microstructures journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/superlattices