A general approach for selective enhancement of green upconversion emissions in Er3+ doped oxides by Yb3+–MoO4 2− dimer sensitizing

In this paper, we report a general approach to enhance the upconversion (UC) luminescence of Er³⁺ doped oxides phosphors by Yb³⁺–MoO₄ ^2? dimer sensitizing, which induced strong green UC emissions under the 976 nm laser diode excitation. By codoping of Yb³⁺ and Mo⁶⁺ in the Er³⁺ doped TiO₂ and ZnO, the green UC emissions intensity can be selectively increased about 10 and 500 times than those of Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ codoped TiO₂ and ZnO, respectively. The high excited state energy transfer between |²F_7/2, ³T₂> state of Yb³⁺–MoO₄ ^2? dimer and ⁴F_7/2 level of Er³⁺ significantly avoids the nonradiative decay processes happened at lower energy levels of Er³⁺, and then increases the green UC emissions efficiently. The proposed Yb³⁺–MoO₄ ^2? dimer sensitizing has been realized as an efficient way to enhance the green UC emissions in other Er³⁺ doped oxides phosphors. It is expected that the selective enhanced green UC emissions sensitized by Yb³⁺–MoO₄ ^2? dimer in Er³⁺ doped oxides phosphors can greatly extend their scope of applications.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Yb and Er doped KLa(WO4)2 nanoparticles

The luminescent nanocrystalline Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ codoped KLa(WO₄)₂ has been prepared by Pechini method. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope were used to study the structure of the obtained samples. The average grain size of these samples depended on the annealing temperature, increasing with the increase of the temperature. The cell parameters and the crystallite size of KYb_xEr_0.02La_0.98−x(WO₄)₂ nanocrystalline decreased with the increase of x value. Luminescence studies showed that the intensity of upconversion emission of the Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ codoped samples was much stronger than that of the Er³⁺ single doped samples (pumped by 980 nm LD). The upconversion emission mechanisms suggested that all the three bands of upconversion emissions were two-photon process.     

Preparation and Characterization of Room-temperature Ferromagnetic Ni-doped TiO2 Nanobelts

Ni-doped anatase TiO₂ nanobelts (NBs) with different Ni²⁺ contents were simply prepared by combining ion-exchange with hydrothermal treatment. They were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and magnetic measurement techniques. The results showed that Ni²⁺ cations doped into the TiO₂ lattice and no metallic nickel clusters or nanoparticles could be found. The magnetic results demonstrated that the prepared Ni-doped TiO₂ samples had complex magnetic mechanism including room-temperature ferromagnetic and paramagnetic behaviors, and with the increase of Ni²⁺ content, the magnetization also increased under the same applied field owing to uniform distribution of Ni²⁺ ions in TiO₂ nanobelts.     

Temperature-dependent six-photon upconversion fluorescence of Er

Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ codoped β-NaYF₄ microcrystals were synthesized through a facile EDTA-assisted hydrothermal method. Under 980 nm excitation, 244, 256, and 276 nm upconversion (UC) emissions were observed in NaYF₄:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ microcrystals, which were assigned to the ²I_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2, ⁴D_7/2 → ⁴I_15/2, and ⁴G_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ ions, respectively. Successive energy transfers (ETs) from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ played crucial roles in populating the high-energy states of Er³⁺ ions. Power dependence analysis exhibited that 244 and 256 nm UC emissions came from six-photon processes. Temperature-dependent UC emissions of ⁴D_7/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ²I_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ were discussed and the nonradiative relaxation (NR) process of ²I_11/2 → ⁴D_7/2 was confirmed.     

Vacuum ultraviolet and near-infrared excited luminescence properties of Ca3(PO4)2:RE, Na (RE=Tb, Yb, Er, Tm, and Ho)

Tb³⁺, Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺, Er³⁺, and Ho³⁺ doped Ca₃(PO₄)₂ were synthesized by solid-state reaction, and their luminescence properties were studied by spectra techniques. Tb³⁺-doped samples can exhibit intense green emission under VUV excitation, and the brightness for the optimal Tb³⁺ content is comparable with that of the commercial Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺ green phosphor. Under near-infrared laser excitation, the upconversion luminescence spectra of Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺, Er³⁺, and Ho³⁺ doped samples demonstrate that the red, green, and blue tricolored fluorescence could be obtained by codoping Yb³⁺-Ho³⁺, Yb³⁺-Er³⁺, and Yb³⁺-Tm³⁺ in Ca₃(PO₄)₂, respectively. Good white upconversion emission with CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.358, 0.362) is achieved by quadri-doping Yb³⁺-Tm³⁺-Er³⁺-Ho³⁺ in Ca₃(PO₄)₂, in which the cross-relaxation process between Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺, producing the ¹D₂-³F₄ transition of Tm³⁺, is found. The upconversion mechanisms are elucidated through the laser power dependence of the upconverted emissions and the energy level diagrams.     

Infrared‐to‐Visible Light Conversion in Er3+–Yb3+:Lu3Ga5O12 Nanogarnets

Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ co‐doped Lu₃Ga₅O₁₂ nanogarnets were prepared and characterized; their structural and luminescence properties were determined as a function of the Yb³⁺ concentration. The morphology of the nanogarnets was studied by HRTEM. Under 488 nm excitation, the nanogarnets emit green, red, and near‐infrared light. The decay curves for the (⁴S_3/2, ²H_11/2) and ⁴F_9/2 levels of the Er³⁺ions exhibit a non‐exponential nature under resonant laser excitation and their effective lifetimes are found to decrease with an increase in the Yb³⁺ concentration from 1.0 to 10.0 mol %. The non‐exponential decay curves are well fitted to the Inokuti–Hirayama model for S=8, indicating that the mechanism of interaction for energy transfer between the optically active ions is of dipole–quadrupole type. Upon 976 nm laser excitation, an intense green upconverted emission is clearly observed by the naked eyes. A significant enhancement of the red‐to‐green intensity ratio of Er³⁺ ions was observed with an increase in Yb³⁺ concentration. The power dependence and the dynamics of the upconverted emission confirm the existence of two‐photon upconversion processes for the green and red emissions.     

Preparation and photoluminescence properties of RE:Na3La9O3(BO3)8 (RE=Er, Yb) crystals

Using Na₂CO₃-H₃BO₃-NaF as fluxes, transparent RE:Na₃La₉O₃(BO₃)₈ (abbr. RE:NLBO, RE=Er, Yb) crystals have been grown by the top seed solution growth (TSSG) method. The X-ray powder diffraction analysis shows that the RE:NLBO crystals have the same structure with NLBO. The element contents were determined by molar to be 0.64% Er³⁺ in Er:NLBO, 2.70% Yb³⁺ in Yb:NLBO, respectively. The polarized absorption spectra of RE:NLBO have been measured at room temperature and show that both Er:NLBO and Yb:NLBO have a strong absorption bands near 980 nm with wide FWHM (Full Wave at Half Maximum) (21 nm for Er:NLBO and 25 nm for Yb:NLBO). Fluorescence spectra have been recorded. Yb:NLBO has the emission peaks at 985 nm, 1028 nm and 1079 nm and the emission peak of Er:NLBO is at 1536 nm. Spectral parameters have been calculated by the Judd-Ofelt theory for Er:NLBO and the reciprocity method for Yb:NLBO, respectively. The calculated values show that Er:NLBO is a candidate of 1.55 μm laser crystals and Yb:NLBO is a candidate for self-frequency doubling crystal.     

Latest developments of bulk crystals and thin films of rare-earth doped CaF2 for laser applications

Several CaF₂ single crystals doped with trivalent rare-earth ions have been grown in the recent years in the form of bulk crystals by using the Bridgman method and in the form of thin films by using the MBE and LPE techniques. The spectroscopic, gain and laser properties of these crystals doped with Pr³⁺, on the one hand, and with Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺ or Er³⁺ ions, on the other hand, have been studied and are reviewed here for their laser potentials in the red and in the infrared spectral domains, respectively.     

ErxYb1-x(TPB)3Bath(x=0,0.218,0.799,0.896,0.987,1)配合物的近红外发光性能

采用4,4,4-三氟-1-苯基-1,3-丁二酮（TPB）为第一配体,4,7-二苯基-1,10-菲咯啉（Bath）为第二配体,分别制备了配合物Er（TPB）₃Bath和Yb（TPB）₃Bath,以及它们的混合配合物Er_xYb_1-x（TPB）₃Bath（x=0.218,0.799,0.896,0.987）,并对所制得配合物的发光性能进行了系统研究。研究结果表明,所有配合物均能发射所含稀土离子的近红外特征光,并且可以通过调节混合配合物中的n_Er/n_Yb来调控Yb³⁺/Er³⁺之间的能量传递,进而提高Er³⁺离子在1530 nm处的发光。     

Upconversion Luminescence Properties of a LiNb0.3Ta0.7O3:Er3+,Yb3+ Ceramic

A co-doped LiNb_0.3Ta_0.7O₃:Er³⁺,Yb³⁺ ceramic was prepared by a high temperature solid state procedure. Under the excitation of 980 nm laser radiation, intense 660 nm red light and 550 nm green light emissions corresponding to the ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 and ²H_11/2/⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ were observed. The change of Yb³⁺ concentration has a more significant influence on luminous intensity than the Er³⁺ concentration. The emission of red and green lights is attributed to a two-photon process. The upconversion luminescence mechanisms were analyzed in detail.     

The influence of Yb, B, and Ga-doped Er3+:Y3Al5O12 on solar light photocatalytic activity of TiO2 in degradation of organic dyes

Five up-conversion luminescence agents (Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂, Er³⁺:Yb _n Y_{3 ? n} Al₅O₁₂, Er³⁺:Y₃B _a Al_{5 ? a} O₁₂, Er³⁺:Y₃Ga _b Al_{5 ? b} O₁₂, and Er³⁺:Yb _n Y_{3 ? n} B _a Ga _b Al_{5 ? a ? b} O₁₂) were synthesized using sol-gel method and then the corresponding coated composites (Er³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂, Er³⁺:Yb _n Y_3?n Al₅O₁₂/TiO₂, Er³⁺:Y₃B _a Al_{5 ? a} O₁₂/TiO₂, Er³⁺:Y₃Ga _b Al_{5 ? b} O₁₂/TiO₂, and Er³⁺:Yb _n Y_{3 ? n} B _a Ga _b Al_{5 ? a ? b} O₁₂/TiO₂) as photocatalysts were prepared by sol-gel coating process. The XRD and SEM were used to confirm the crystalline phase and surface morphology. The UV-vis absorption and fluorescence-emission spectra were used to research the effect of doping category and amount on the up-conversion emission ability. The photocatalytic activities were detected through the degradation of Acid Red B dye in aqueous solution. Some key parameters of catalyst amount and initial concentration of organic dye on solar light photocatalytic degradation were also examined. The extensive feasibility of prepared photocatalysts in solar light degradation was detected by other organic dyes. The results suggest that the photocatalysts can be widely used in sewage treatment.     

Preparation and spectroscopic properties of nanostructured glass-ceramics containing Yb3+, Er3+ ions and Co2+-doped spinel nanocrystals

Transparent glass-ceramics with Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ ions in glass matrix and tetrahedral Co²⁺-doped MgAl₂O₄ nanocrystals were synthesized. XRD patterns and FESEM micrograph of the glass-ceramics showed that MgAl₂O₄ nanocrystals (sizes of 10–20 nm) are uniformly dispersed in SiO₂ glass matrix. Absorption and emission spectra of the glass-ceramics indicated that Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ remain in SiO₂ glass matrix, while Co²⁺ occupied tetrahedral sites in MgAl₂O₄ nanocrystals, and can function as saturable absorber for Er³⁺. Transparent Co²⁺, Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ co-doped glass-ceramics possesses the spectral requirements and should be a potential laser material used for self-Q-switched microchip laser operating at 1.5–1.6 μm.     

GdAlO_3:Er~(3+),Yb~(3+)荧光粉的制备与上转换发光性能

采用共沉淀、溶胶-凝胶和固相反应法制备了GdAlO3:Er3+,Yb3+荧光粉.借助X射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜、傅里叶变换红外光谱、N2-吸附、吸收光谱和荧光光谱等手段研究了不同方法制备的GdAlO3:Er3+,Yb3+荧光粉结构、形貌、表面基团和光吸收及上转换发光性能.结果表明:用共沉淀法比固相反应法和溶胶-凝胶法可以在更温和的条件下制得纯相GdAlO3:Er3+,Yb3+荧光粉,用共沉淀法和溶胶-凝胶法制备的GdAlO3:Er3+,Yb3+荧光粉颗粒都在纳米尺寸,溶胶-凝胶法制得的样品存在相对严重的颗粒团聚现象,而用固相反应法制备的荧光粉为微米级颗粒.GdAlO3:Er3+,Yb3+荧光粉在980 nm激发的上转换发射光谱包含波长为524和546 nm的绿光与659 nm的红光,且三种方法制备的样品绿光发射强度都显著高于红光.不同方法制备的荧光粉上转换发光强度和红光/绿光强度比相差较大,共沉淀法制备的样品上转换发光强度要显著高于固相法以及溶胶-凝胶法制备的样品,而溶胶-凝胶法制备的样品发光中红光/绿光相对强度比最高.红外光谱显示,不同方法制备的GdAlO3:Er3+,Yb3+荧光粉表面OH-、CO32-及CO2官能团含量不同,溶胶-凝胶法制备的样品要明显高些.基于红外光谱、不同Er3+和Yb3+离子掺杂浓度及不同激光功率上转换发光的结果,对Er3+和Yb3+之间的能量传递过程及不同方法制备荧光粉的上转换发光性能进行了讨论.     

Bi3+‐Er3+ and Bi3+‐Yb3+ Codoped Cs2AgInCl6 Double Perovskite Near‐Infrared Emitters

Bi³⁺ and lanthanide ions have been codoped in metal oxides as optical sensitizers and emitters. But such codoping is not known in typical semiconductors such as Si, GaAs, and CdSe. Metal halide perovskite with coordination number 6 provides an opportunity to codope Bi³⁺ and lanthanide ions. Codoping of Bi³⁺ and Ln³⁺ (Ln=Er and Yb) in Cs₂AgInCl₆ double perovskite is presented. Bi³⁺‐Er³⁺ codoped Cs₂AgInCl₆ shows Er³⁺ f‐electron emission at 1540 nm (suitable for low‐loss optical communication). Bi³⁺ codoping decreases the excitation (absorption) energy, such that the samples can be excited with ca. 370 nm light. At that excitation, Bi³⁺‐Er³⁺ codoped Cs₂AgInCl₆ shows ca. 45 times higher emission intensity compared to the Er³⁺ doped Cs₂AgInCl₆. Similar results are also observed in Bi³⁺‐Yb³⁺ codoped sample emitting at 994 nm. A combination of temperature‐dependent (5.7 K to 423 K) photoluminescence and calculations is used to understand the optical sensitization and emission processes.     

Yb/Er掺杂Y2O3纳米核壳颗粒的荧光性能及体内标定研究

为改善无机Y2O3上转换纳米粒子(UCNPs)的荧光性能,且同步实现其在生物体内的成像标定,通过共沉淀法及梯度合成工艺,制备出各组不同壳层厚度的Y2O3:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺@Y2O3:Yb³⁺ UCNPs。利用透射电子显微镜(TEM)扫描、X射线衍射(XRD)、上转换荧光(UCL)光谱、UCL寿命等对样品的形貌、结构及荧光性能进行了表征。结果表明：利用共沉淀法制得小尺寸Y2O3:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺@Y2O3:Yb³⁺纳米核壳颗粒,平均粒径范围在25.57~26.24 nm之间。通过调整Yb³⁺浓度和水浴时间优化合成工艺,获得高发射强度、长荧光寿命方案(80% Yb掺杂,8 h水浴)。高红绿比的荧光发射特征,决定其在小动物体内荧光标定检测时更宜采用红色信道。     

Investigation on the upconversion luminescence of Sr3AlO4F:Yb3+, Er3+, Ho3+ phosphors

To develop new emission-tunable upconversion (UC) phosphors, the Sr₃AlO₄F:5%Yb³⁺, xEr³⁺, yHo³⁺ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1%, 0 ≤ y ≤ 1%) samples were prepared by conversional solid-state reaction method, and their luminescence properties upon 980 nm excitation were studied. Upon 980 nm excitation, Yb³⁺-Er³⁺ codoped Sr₃AlO₄F shows a predominant emission peak between 645 and 700 nm which is attributed to the ⁴F_9/2-⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺, and the Er³⁺ green emissions have been almost quenched. In this case, the yellowish green emitting light is obtained. The possible reason was interpreted by the energy level diagram and the proposed UC mechanism. For Yb³⁺-Ho³⁺ codoped Sr₃AlO₄F, three emissions are observed obviously which are all derived from the Ho³⁺ ion. The corresponding chromaticity coordinates indicate a red emission has been gained. To realize the tunable emission, the typical Sr₃AlO₄F:5%Yb³⁺, 0.2%Er³⁺, 1%Ho³⁺ phosphor was developed, and its emission spectrum includes the emission peaks of both Er³⁺ and Ho³⁺. Correspondingly, the sample gives a yellow emission.     

Synthesis and characterization of monodisperse spherical SiO2@RE2O3 (RE=rare earth elements) and SiO2@Gd2O3:Ln (Ln=Eu, Tb, Dy, Sm, Er, Ho) particles with core-shell structure

Spherical SiO₂ particles have been coated with rare earth oxide layers by a Pechini sol-gel process, leading to the formation of core-shell structured SiO₂@RE₂O₃ (RE=rare earth elements) and SiO₂@Gd₂O₃:Ln³⁺ (Ln=Eu, Tb, Dy, Sm, Er, Ho) particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), and cathodoluminescence spectra as well as lifetimes were used to characterize the resulting SiO₂@RE₂O₃ (RE=rare earth elements) and SiO₂@Gd₂O₃:Ln³⁺ (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺, Sm³⁺, Er³⁺, Ho³⁺) samples. The obtained core-shell phosphors have perfect spherical shape with narrow size distribution (average size ca. 380 nm), smooth surface and non-agglomeration. The thickness of shells could be easily controlled by changing the number of deposition cycles (40 nm for two deposition cycles). Under the excitation of ultraviolet, the Ln³⁺ ion mainly shows its characteristic emissions in the core-shell particles from Gd₂O₃:Ln³⁺ (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Sm³⁺, Dy³⁺, Er³⁺, Ho³⁺) shells.     

Er3+/Yb3+ Co-Activated Silica-Alumina Monolithic Xerogels

Monolithic silica xerogels doped with different concentrations of Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ and Al³⁺ were prepared by sol-gel route. Densification was achieved by thermal treatment in air at 950°C for 120 h with a heating rate of 0.1°C/min. We studied the luminescence properties of the ⁴I_13/2 ⁴I_15/2 emission band of Er³⁺ as a function of the Al/Er/Yb concentration and we paid particular attention to the alumina effects. Raman spectroscopy and Vis-NIR absorption were used to monitor the degree of densification of the glasses and the residual OH content.     

Transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics co-doped with Er and Yb - Crystallization and upconversion spectroscopy

Transparent glass ceramics in the system SiO₂-B₂O₃-PbO-CdO-PbF₂-CdF₂-YbF₃-ErF₃ showing infrared to visible anti-Stokes (upconversion) luminescence are studied in the present work. The glass compositions have been optimized in order to reduce the melting temperature and, hence, to obtain laboratory scale samples with good optical quality. Erbium-doped nanoscale Pb₄Yb₃F₁₇ crystals are precipitated in the precursor glasses during annealing at temperatures 30-40 K above T_g. A kinetically self-constrained growth explains the nano sizes of the crystals. Both the Stokes and anti-Stokes luminescence spectra of glasses could be explained with clustering of the Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions in fluorine-rich regions. At the annealing temperature these regions act as nucleation precursors. The crystal growth further enhances the local concentration of these ions. Consequently, a series of energy transfer and energy cross relaxation processes occurs between adjacent rare earth ions leading to the observed luminescence spectra of the glass ceramics studied.     

In Situ Synthesis of β-Na1.5Y1.5F6: Er3+ Crystals in Oxyfluoride Silicate Glass for Temperature Sensors and Their Spectral Conversion and Optical Thermometry Analysis

Transparent oxyfluoride glass-ceramics (GCs) with embedded β-Na₁.₅Y₁.₅F₆ crystals doped with Er³⁺ ions were fabricated by a melt-quenching method with subsequent heat-treatment. The structural characterizations and spectroscopic techniques were performed to verify the precipitation of β-Na₁.₅Y₁.₅F₆ crystals and partition of the Er³⁺ dopant into the crystals. Bright green up-conversion (UC) emission was achieved in Er³⁺-doped glass-ceramic (Er-GC). Furthermore, the temperature-dependent visible UC behavior based on thermally coupled energy levels (TCLs) and non-thermally coupled energy levels (NTCLs) was also examined in the temperature range 298 k to 823 K with maximum relative sensitivity (S_r) of 1.1% K⁻¹ at 298 K for TCLs in Er-G and Er-GC samples.