Photoluminescence from ZnO–SiO2 opals with different sphere diameters and thicknesses

Abstract We systematically investigated the photoluminescence (PL) and transmittance characteristics of ZnO–SiO 2 opals with varied positions of the stop-band and film thicknesses. An improved ultraviolet (UV) luminescence was observed from ZnO–SiO 2 composites over pure ZnO nanocrystals under 325 nm He–Cd laser excitation at room temperature. The UV PL of ZnO nanocrystals in SiO 2 opals with stop-bands center of 410 nm is sensitive to the thickness of opal films, and the UV PL intensity increases with the film thickness increasing. The PL spectra of ZnO nanocrystals in SiO 2 opals with stop-bands center of 570 nm show a suppression of the weak visible band. The experimental results are discussed based on the scattering and/or absorbance in opal crystals.