Preparation and up-conversion luminescence of germania/γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane organic–inorganic hybrid thin films dispersed with neodymium oxide nanocrystals

Germania/γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GLYMO) organic–inorganic hybrid spin-coating films dispersed with neodymium oxide nanocrystals have been prepared by combining an inverse microemulsion technique and the low-temperature sol–gel technique. UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) have been used to investigate the structural and optical properties of the hybrid thin films. Up-conversion emission properties of these hybrid thin films deposited on microscope glass slide and silicon substrates have been studied. The results indicate that an intense room-temperature yellow to violet up-conversion emission at 397 nm (4D3/2→4I13/2) is measured from the hybrid thin films heated at different temperatures upon excitation with a xenon lamp at the wavelength of 580 nm. In addition to this intense violet emission, a relative weak ultraviolet emission at 375 nm and a blue emission at 469 nm are also observed.