Optical properties of amorphous organo-modified silica nanoparticles produced via co-condensation method

Structural defects in amorphous organo-modified silica nanoparticle have been studied via optical absorption and photoluminescence. The defect center, E', oxygen defect center (ODCs), self-trapped exciton, OH-related surface defect, hydrogen-related species and carbon-related species were found in the amino-functionalized modified silica. These interesting emitting surface centers were observed in the range of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV), UV-vis and near-IR. Raman results were also demonstrated transverse- and longitudinal-optical pairs due to the surface defect-related optical properties. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.