Spectroscopic and photoluminescence studies on optically transparent magnetic nanocomposites based on sol–gel glass: Fe3O4

Sol–gel glasses with Fe3O4 nanoparticles having particle sizes laying in the range 10–20 nm were encapsulated in the porous network of silica resulting in nanocomposites having both optical and magnetic properties. Spectroscopic and photoluminescence studies indicated that Fe3O4 nanocrystals are embedded in the silica matrix with no strong Si–O–Fe bonding. The composites exhibited a blue luminescence. The optical absorption edge of the composites red shifted with increasing concentration of Fe3O4 in the silica matrix. There is no obvious shift in the position of the luminescence peak with the concentration of Fe3O4 except that the intensity of the peak is decreased. The unique combinations of magnetic and optical properties are appealing for magneto–optical applications.