Size-dependent visible photoluminescence from ZnO nanoparticles prepared via SiO2 network

► The simple synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles was developed in the SiO2 network. ► The average size decreases with the amount increase of TEOS in precursor. ► The visible emission peaks blue shifts with the increase of TEOS amount. ► Quantum size effect has been explained the visible emission band shift. This study reports a simple method for the synthesis of different size of wurtzite ZnO nanoparticles in assistance of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). With the increase of the amount of TEOS added, the average size of ZnO nanoparticles was found decreased from ∼14.6 to ∼1.9nm by characterization of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM). The growth of ZnO nanoparticles is proposed to be controlled by the density of the SiO2 chain mesh which is determined by TEOS amount in precursor. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–VIS) absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra show both shift to higher energy in cut-off edge and in visible emission bands respectively. The electron transition process in the mechanism of the visible emission shift was described and related to quantum size effect in ZnO nanoparticles.