Optically transparent nanostructured SiO2 glassceramics containing a high density of monodispersed, nanometer sized clusters of SnO2 were obtained by phase separation from sol-gel synthesized xerogel. This material was produced either as bulk samples or as thin films on silicon and it can be easily doped with rare earth ions during the sol-gel synthesis. Spectroscopic measurements were carried out on bulk samples, demonstrating an effective energy-transfer between nanoclusters and rare earth ions. A particular sol-gel derived synthesis was employed, producing silica-based films with relatively low electrical resistivity and thickness ranging between 300 and 1000 nm. Suitable sol features allowed thick single-step deposition by spin-coating techniques, assuring the homogeneous nanosized clustering of the semiconducting SnO2 phase. Refractive index and thickness were analyzed in films produced in different conditions of synthesis and thermal treatments of densification. The current-voltage response and the electro-induced optical emission in this material were investigated, suggesting potential technological applications in photonics and UV-emitting devices.
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