Nano-ribbons and very small nanoparticles (size 2-5 nm) of SbPO4 doped with lanthanide ions (Ce3+ and Tb3+) are prepared at a relatively low temperature of 120 degrees C based on a solution method. Detailed vibrational and luminescence studies on these samples establish that these lanthanide ions are incorporated at Sb3+ site of the SbPO4 lattice. The excitation spectrum corresponding to the Tb3+ emission and the excited state lifetime of the 5D4 level of Tb3+ ions in the sample confirm the energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+ ions in the SbPO4 host. The extent of energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+ in these samples is found to be around 60%. Dispersion of these nanomaterials in silica matrix effectively shields the lanthanide ions at the surface of the nano-ribbons/nanoparticles from the stabilizing ligands resulting in the reduction in the vibronic quenching of the excited state. Our results show significant reduction in the surface contribution in the decay curve corresponding to the 5D4 level of the Tb3+ ions after incorporating the nano-ribbons/nanoparticles in silica. These nanomaterials incorporated in silica matrix can have potential applications in bio-assays and bio-imaging.