Y2-xTbxSiO5 and Y2-xEuxSiO5 nanophosphors, with seven different kinds of silicate sources were synthesized by sol-gel method. The structures have been investigated to be composed of nanometer-size grains of 30-60 nm through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to compare the different morphology of patterns from seven different silicon sources. The photoluminescence of Y2-xTbxSiO5 was investigated as a function of silicate sources and the results revealed that these nanometer materials showed the characteristic emission D-5(4) -> F-7(J) (J = 6, 5, 4, 3) of Tb ions. The characteristic emission D-5(0) -> F-7(J) (J = 1, 2, 4) of Eu ions was also found in the materials of Y2-xEuxSiO5. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.