Spectroscopic Properties and Upconversion Studies in Ho3+/Yb3+ Co‐doped Calcium Scandate with Spectrally Pure Green emission

The optical properties of a Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ co‐doped CaSc₂O₄ oxide material are investigated in detail. The spectral properties are described as a function of doping concentrations. The efficient Yb³⁺→Ho³⁺ energy transfer is observed. The transfer efficiency approaches 50 % before concentration quenching. The concentration‐optimized sample exhibits a strong green emission accompanied with a weak red emission, showing perfect green monochromaticity. The results of the spectral distribution, power dependence, and lifetime measurements are presented. The green, red, and near‐infrared (NIR) emissions around 545, 660, and 759 nm are assigned to the ⁵F₄+⁵S₂→⁵I₈, ⁵F₅→⁵I₈, and ⁵F₄+⁵S₂→⁵I₇ transitions of Ho³⁺, respectively. The detailed study reveals the upconversion luminescence mechanism involved in a novel Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ co‐doped CaSc₂O₄ oxide material.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Up‐conversion Luminescence of Ho3+/Yb3+ Co‐doped PbTiO3

Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ co‐doped PbTiO₃ nanocrystals with different content of dopant were successfully prepared via a facile hydrothermal method. The purity, morphology, element distribution, chemical state and up‐conversion (UC) photoluminescence (PL) of PbTiO₃ nanocrystals affected by Ho³⁺ dopant are investigated systematically. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results illustrate that PbTiO₃ samples with the doping Ho³⁺ concentration ranging from 0 to 5 mol‐% are perovskite structure. The doping Ho³⁺ ions have no change on the crystal structure of perovskite PbTiO₃. Owing to the non‐equivalent substitution of Ho³⁺ to Ti⁴⁺ in PbTiO₃, the particle size of Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ co‐doped PbTiO₃ samples is decreased as well as the particle agglomeration is detected. Moreover, Ho and Yb ions have uniform distributions in the PbTiO₃ nanoparticles as the presence of Ho³⁺ and Yb³⁺ cations. The up‐conversion spectra demonstrate that Ho/Yb co‐doped PbTiO₃ samples have up‐conversion emissions centered at 550 nm, 660 nm and 755 nm, corresponding to the transitions of ⁵F₄(⁵S₂)→⁵I₈, ⁵F₅→⁵I₈ and ⁵S₂(⁵F₄)→⁵I₇ of Ho³⁺ ions. Additionally, the effect of temperature on the UC PL property of Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ co‐doped PbTiO₃ system is further investigated. The sensitivity and the trend of Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ co‐doped PbTiO₃ samples in temperature from 298 k to 493K are calculated on the basis of fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) method. Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ co‐doped PbTiO₃ nanocrystals are verified the high potential in the optical temperature sensing.     

Intense Upconversion Luminescence of CaSc2O4:Ho3+/Yb3+ from Large Absorption Cross Section and Energy‐Transfer Rate of Yb3+

Concentration‐optimized CaSc₂O₄:0.2 % Ho³⁺/10 % Yb³⁺ shows stronger upconversion luminescence (UCL) than a typical concentration‐optimized upconverting phosphor Y₂O₃:0.2 % Ho³⁺/10 % Yb³⁺ upon excitation with a 980 nm laser diode pump. The ⁵F₄+⁵S₂→⁵I₈ green UCL around 545 nm and ⁵F₅→⁵I₈ red UCL around 660 nm of Ho³⁺ are enhanced by factors of 2.6 and 1.6, respectively. On analyzing the emission spectra and decay curves of Yb³⁺: ²F_5/2→²F_7/2 and Ho³⁺: ⁵I₆→⁵I₈, respectively, in the two hosts, we reveal that Yb³⁺ in CaSc₂O₄ exhibits a larger absorption cross section at 980 nm and subsequent larger Yb³⁺: ²F_5/2→Ho³⁺: ⁵I₆ energy‐transfer coefficient (8.55×10^?17 cm³ s^?1) compared to that (4.63×10^?17 cm³ s^?1) in Y₂O₃, indicating that CaSc₂O₄:Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ is an excellent oxide upconverting material for achieving intense UCL.     

Structural and Spectroscopic Effects of Li+ Substitution for Na+ in LixNa1-xCaGd0.5Ho0.05Yb0.45(MoO4)3 Scheelite-Type Upconversion Phosphors

A set of new triple molybdates, Li_xNa_1-xCaGd_0.5(MoO₄)₃:Ho³⁺_0.05/Yb³⁺_0.45, was successfully manufactured by the microwave-accompanied sol–gel-based process (MAS). Yellow molybdate phosphors Li_xNa_1-xCaGd_0.5(MoO₄)₃:Ho³⁺_0.05/Yb³⁺_0.45 with variation of the Li_xNa_1-x (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) ratio under constant doping amounts of Ho³⁺ = 0.05 and Yb³⁺ = 0.45 were obtained, and the effect of Li⁺ on their spectroscopic features was investigated. The crystal structures of Li_xNa_1-xCaGd_0.5(MoO₄)₃:Ho³⁺_0.05/Yb³⁺_0.45 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) at room temperature were determined in space group I4₁/a by Rietveld analysis. Pure NaCaGd_0.5Ho_0.05Yb_0.45(MoO₄)₃ has a scheelite-type structure with cell parameters a = 5.2077 (2) and c = 11.3657 (5) Å, V = 308.24 (3) ų, Z = 4. In Li-doped samples, big cation sites are occupied by a mixture of (Li,Na,Gd,Ho,Yb) ions, and this provides a linear cell volume decrease with increasing Li doping level. The evaluated upconversion (UC) behavior and Raman spectroscopic results of the phosphors are discussed in detail. Under excitation at 980 nm, the phosphors provide yellow color emission based on the ⁵S₂/⁵F₄ → ⁵I₈ green emission and the ⁵F₅ → ⁵I₈ red emission. The incorporated Li⁺ ions gave rise to local symmetry distortion (LSD) around the cations in the substituted crystalline structure by the Ho³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions, and they further affected the UC transition probabilities in triple molybdates Li_xNa_1-xCaGd_0.5(MoO₄)₃:Ho³⁺_0.05/Yb³⁺_0.45. The complex UC intensity dependence on the Li content is explained by the specificity of unit cell distortion in a disordered large ion system within the scheelite crystal structure. The Raman spectra of Li_xNa_1-xCaGd_0.5(MoO₄)₃ doped with Ho³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions were totally superimposed with the luminescence signal of Ho³⁺ ions in the range of Mo–O stretching vibrations, and increasing the Li⁺ content resulted in a change in the Ho³⁺ multiplet intensity. The individual chromaticity points (ICP) for the LiNaCaGd(MoO₄)₃:Ho³⁺,Yb³⁺ phosphors correspond to the equal-energy point in the standard CIE (Commission Internationale de L’Eclairage) coordinates.     

Strong upconversion–downshifting green emission from Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in core/shell/shell-structured nanophosphors

Efficient upconversion (UC)–downshifting (DS), dual-mode-emitting NaGdF₄:Yb,Tm/NaGdF₄:Tb/NaYF₄ core/shell/shell (C/S/S) nanophosphors (NPs) were synthesized. The UC luminescence color changed from blue to sky blue after doping Tb³⁺ into NaGdF₄ shell because Tb³⁺ emission peaks via ⁵D₄ → ⁷F_J transition were observed with Tm³⁺ emission peaks via ¹D₂ → ³F₄ and ¹G₄ → ³H₆ transitions through the energy migration UC process of Yb³⁺ → Tm³⁺ → Gd³⁺ → Tb³⁺. Upon increasing the Tb³⁺ concentration in the NaGdF₄ shell from 5 to 15%, the Commission Internationale de l’Éclairage (CIE) color coordinates changed from (0.2188, 0.2390) to (0.2616, 0.3654). When NaGdF₄:Yb(49%),Tm(1%)/NaGdF₄:Tb(15%)/NaYF₄ NPs were excited using 273 nm ultraviolet light, the C/S/S NPs exhibited bright green light with CIE color coordinates of (0.3354, 0.5090) as a result of energy transfer from Gd³⁺ to Tb³⁺. These bright UC–DS, dual-mode-emitting C/S/S NPs could be applied in various applications, including multiplexed imaging and anticounterfeiting.     

Comparative investigation on structure and luminescence properties of fluoride phosphors codoped with Er/Yb

This paper reports on comparative investigation of structure and luminescence properties of tetragonal LiYF₄ and BaYF₅, and hexagonal NaYF₄ phosphors codoped with Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ by a facile hydrothermal synthesis. The products were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Intense visible emissions centered at around 525, 550 and 650 nm, originated from the transitions of ²H_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2, and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 of Er³⁺, respectively, have been observed in all the samples upon excitation with a 980 nm laser diode, and the involved mechanisms have been explained. Based on the green up-conversion emission performance, the Yb³⁺ concentrations of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-codoped LiYF₄, BaYF₅, and NaYF₄ phosphors have been optimized to be 10, 20, and 20 mol.%, respectively. The quadratic dependence of fluorescence on excitation laser power has confirmed that two-photon contribute to up-conversion of the green–red emissions.     

DNA Intercalating Near-Infrared Luminescent Lanthanide Complexes Containing Dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (dppz) Ligands: Synthesis,Crystal Structures,Stability, Luminescence Properties and CT-DNA Interaction

In order to create near-infrared (NIR) luminescent lanthanide complexes suitable for DNA-interaction, novel lanthanide dppz complexes with general formula [Ln(NO₃)₃(dppz)₂] (Ln = Nd³⁺, Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺; dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine) were synthesized, characterized and their luminescence properties were investigated. In addition, analogous compounds with other lanthanide ions (Ln = Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺, Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺, Ho³⁺, Tm³⁺, Lu³⁺) were prepared. All complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the complexes (Ln = La³⁺, Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺, Nd³⁺, Eu³⁺, Er³⁺, Yb³⁺, Lu³⁺) showed that the lanthanide’s first coordination sphere can be described as a bicapped dodecahedron, made up of two bidentate dppz ligands and three bidentate-coordinating nitrate anions. Efficient energy transfer was observed from the dppz ligand to the lanthanide ion (Nd³⁺, Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺), while relatively high luminescence lifetimes were detected for these complexes. In their excitation spectra, the maximum of the strong broad band is located at around 385 nm and this wavelength was further used for excitation of the chosen complexes. In their emission spectra, the following characteristic NIR emission peaks were observed: for a) Nd³⁺: ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_9/2 (870.8 nm), ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_11/2 (1052.7 nm) and ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_13/2 (1334.5 nm); b) Er³⁺: ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 (1529.0 nm) c) Yb³⁺: ²F_5/2 → ²F_7/2 (977.6 nm). While its low triplet energy level is ideally suited for efficient sensitization of Nd³⁺ and Er³⁺, the dppz ligand is considered not favorable as a sensitizer for most of the visible emitting lanthanide ions, due to its low-lying triplet level, which is too low for the accepting levels of most visible emitting lanthanides. Furthermore, the DNA intercalation ability of the [Nd(NO₃)₃(dppz)₂] complex with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was confirmed using fluorescence spectroscopy.     

Intensity parameters,radiative transitions and non-radiative relaxations of Ho3+ in various tellurite glasses

The intensity parameters of holmium in sodium, barium and zinc tellurite glasses were obtained from the absorption spectra. Using these parameters and the matrix elements of Ho³⁺, transition probabilities and branching ratios from the excited states (⁵F₄, ⁵S₂), ⁵F₅, ⁵I₄, ⁵I₅ and ⁵I₆ were calculated. Quantum efficiencies for the (⁵F₄, ⁵S₂) state were obtained and the multiphonon transition rates calculated at room temperature. Non-radiative multiphonon relaxations were obtained from the (⁵F₄, ⁵S₂) level. The relaxation increased in the order of zinc, barium, sodium, and is assumed to be dependent on the local site symmetry of Ho³⁺ in glass.     

Tunable luminescence and energy transfer process between Tb3+ and Eu3+ in GYAG:Bi3+, Tb3+, Eu3+ phosphors

A series of Eu³⁺ ions co-doped (Gd_0.9Y_0.1)₃Al₅O₁₂:Bi³⁺, Tb³⁺ (GYAG) phosphors have been synthesized by means of solvothermal reaction method. The XRD pattern of GYAG phosphor sintered at 1500 °C confirms their garnet phase. The luminescence properties of these phosphors have been explored by analyzing their excitation and emission spectra along with their decay curves. The excitation spectra of the GYAG:Bi³⁺, Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺ phosphors consists of broad bands in the shorter wavelength region due to 4f⁸ → 4f⁷5d¹ transition of Tb³⁺ ions overlapped with 6s² → 6s¹6p¹ (¹S₀ → ³P₁) transition of Bi³⁺ ions and the charge transfer band of Eu³⁺–O^2?. The present phosphors exhibit green and red colors due to ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺ ions and ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ transition of Eu³⁺ ions, respectively. The emission was shifted from green to red color by co-doping with Eu³⁺ ions, which indicate that the energy transfer probability from Tb³⁺ to Eu³⁺ ions are dependent strongly on the concentration of Eu³⁺ ions.     

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.     

A "turn-off" luminescence resonance energy transfer aptamer sensor based on near-infrared upconverting NaYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+ nanoparticles as donors and gold nanorods as acceptors

Near-infrared upconverting NaYF₄:Yb^3*,Tm^3* nanophosphors modified with poly（acrylic acid） were prepared and characterized by transmission electron microscopy and luminescence spectroscopy.Based on the observed overlap between the emission spectrum of the NaYF₄:Yb^3*,Tm^3* nanophosphors and the absorption spectrum of the gold nanorods,we believe that a new "turn-off luminescence resonance energy transfer aptamer sensor was constructed for sensing thrombin in near-infrared region.     

Crystal structure and pale‐yellow emitting properties of K3Gd1–xDyxB6O12 solid solutions

A new potassium dysprosium polyborate, K₃DyB₆O₁₂, has been prepared via the high‐temperature molten salt method and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The structure can be described as a three‐dimensional framework composed of isolated bicyclic [B₅O₁₀]^5? groups and Dy³⁺ and K⁺ ions. The Fourier transform IR (FT–IR) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectra were investigated. A series of K₃Gd_1–xDy_xB₆O₁₂ phosphors was prepared and their photoluminescence properties were studied. The K₃Gd_1–xDy_xB₆O₁₂ phosphors exhibit a strong yellow emission band at 577 nm (the ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 transition of Dy³⁺) under UV excitation of 275 nm (the ⁸S_7/2→⁶I_J transition of Gd³⁺), suggesting the occurrence of the energy transfer Gd³⁺→Dy³⁺. The optimized doping concentration of the Dy³⁺ ion was 8 mol%. We may expect that K₃Gd_1–xDy_xB₆O₁₂ is a promising pale‐yellow emission phosphor for visual displays or solid‐state lighting.     

The role of ligand coordination on the spectral features of Yb3+ ions in lead aluminum silicate glasses

The glasses of the composition (40 ? x)PbO–(5 + x)Al₂O₃–54SiO₂:1.0Yb₂O₃ (in mol%) with x ranging from 5 to 10 have been synthesized. The IR spectral studies of these glasses have indicated that there is a gradual transformation of Al³⁺ ions from tetrahedral to octahedral coordination with increase of Al₂O₃ content in the glass network. The optical absorption and luminescence spectra have exhibited bands originating from ²F_7/2 → ²F_5/2 and ²F_5/2 → ²F_7/2 transitions, respectively. From these spectra, the absorption and emission cross-sections and fluorescence lifetime of Yb³⁺ ions have been evaluated. Quantitative analysis of these data indicated a decreasing radiative trapping and increasing fluorescence lifetime of Yb³⁺ ions with increasing Al₂O₃ content. This may be explained by structural variations in the vicinity of Yb³⁺ ions due to variation in the concentration of Al₂O₃ in the glass network.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Eu(III)-doped silica nanorods based on the sol–gel process

Uniform Eu³⁺-doped SiO₂ nanorods were synthesized through a simple sol–gel method using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as surfactant template and tetraethylorthosilicate as silicon source. X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence spectra were employed to characterize the products in detail. The nanorods have good uniformity and their diameters and lengths are in the range of 200–300 and 500–700 nm through the SEM images, respectively. The formation of the nanorods was studied by taking SEM images after different aging time. The experimental results indicate that CTAB plays a crucial role in the formation of the silica nanorods. The luminescence of Eu³⁺-doped SiO₂ nanorods is dominated by red-emission around 612 nm due to intra-atomic 4f → 4f (⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂₎ transition of Eu³⁺ ions. Furthermore, the effect of doping concentrations of Eu³⁺ ions on the luminescence was investigated.     

Spectral migration of excitation energy among Nd3+ ions in fluoroarsenate glasses

In this work, we have investigated the existence of energy transfer among Nd³⁺ ions in fluoroarsenate glasses of the Na₄As₂O₇, BaF₂, YF₃ system with different Nd³⁺ concentrations (0.5, 2, 3, 4, and 5 mol%) by using time-resolved fluorescence line narrowing spectroscopy. The spectral features of the time resolved fluorescence line narrowing ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_9/2 emission spectra obtained under resonant excitation reveal the existence of spectral migration of excitation among the Nd³⁺ ions. The analysis of the time evolution of the ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_9/2 narrowed emission shows that the electronic mechanism responsible for the ion–ion interaction can be identified as a dipole–dipole energy transfer process.     

Up-converted luminescence in Yb,Tm co-doped LaGaO3 phosphors by high-energy ball milling and solid state reaction

LaGaO₃:Tm³⁺, Yb³⁺ powder was synthesized by a high-energy ball milling (HEB) and a conventional solid state reaction (SSR). The X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the LaGaO₃:Tm³⁺, Yb³⁺ powder phosphors to have an orthorhombic structure. The spectrum consisted of ¹G₄ → ³H₆, weak ¹G₄ → ³F₄, and intense ³H₄ → ³H₆ transition bands within the f¹² configuration of Tm³⁺, together with the ²F_5/2 → ²F_7/2 transition of Yb³⁺. Up-converted emission of the LaGaO₃:Tm³⁺, Yb³⁺ powders were observed under laser diode excitation of 975 nm. The PL intensity of the HEB-LaGaO₃:Tm³⁺, Yb³⁺ powders sintered at 1300 °C were higher than those of all LaGaO₃:Tm³⁺, Yb³⁺ powder samples examined. The energy transition probability of HEB-LaGaO₃:Tm³⁺, Yb³⁺ powders are higher than that of the SSR-LaGaO₃:Tm³⁺, Yb³⁺ powders. Compared to the solid state reaction method, synthesis by high-energy ball milling is simple and provides improved crystallinity of the host.     

Effcient Near-Infrared Quantum Cutting in Tm3+/Yb3 Codoped LiYF4 Single Crystals for Solar Photovoltaic

Downconversion (DC) with emission of two near-infrared photons about 1000 nm for each blue photon absorbed was obtained in thulium (Tm³⁺) and ytterbium (Yb³ ) codoped yt-trium lithium fluoride (LiYF₄) single crystals grown by an improved Bridgman method. The luminescent properties of the crystals were measured through photoluminescence excitation, emission spectra and decay curves. Luminescence between 960 and 1050 nm from Yb³ : ²F_5/2→²F_7/2 transition, which was originated from the DC from Tm³ ions to Yb³ ions, was observed under the excitation of blue photon at 465 nm. Moreover, the energy transfer processes were studied based on the Inokuti-Hirayama model, and the results indicated that the energy transfer from Tm³ to Yb³ was an electric dipole-dipole interaction. The max-imum quantum cutting effciency approached up to 167.5% in LiYF₄ single crystal codoped with 0.49mol% Tm³ and 5.99mol% Yb³ . Application of this crystal has prospects for increasing the energy e ciency of crystalline Si solar cells by photon doubling of the high energy part of the solar spectrum     

Synthesis and characterization of nanoporous NaYF4:Yb3+, Tm3+@SiO2 nanocomposites

Novel upconversion nanocomposites with nanoporous structure were presented in this paper. Silica-coated cubic NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺ nanoparticles were first prepared. After annealing, monodisperse cubic/hexagonal mixed phases NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺@SiO₂ nanoparticles were obtained, and the NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺ cores became nanoporous. To the best of our knowledge, the nanoporous structure in NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺@SiO₂ nanocomposites was observed for the first time. They demonstrate increased upconversion emission compared with unannealed dense NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺ nanoparticles due to the appearance of the hexagonal NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺. The silica shell not only makes the nanocomposites possess bio-affinity but also protects the NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺ cores from aggregating and growing up. Thus the upconversion, nanoporous and bio-affinity properties were combined into one single nanoparticle. The nanocomposites have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), small angle X-ray diffraction (SAXRD) and emission spectroscopy. These multifunctional nanocomposites are expected to find applications in biological fields, such as biolabels, drug storage and delivery.     

Ho2O[SiO4] und Ho2S[SiO4]: Zwei Chalkogenid‐Derivate von Holmium(III)‐ortho‐ Oxosilicat

Ho₂O[SiO₄] and Ho₂S[SiO₄]: Two Chalcogenide Derivatives of Holmium(III) ortho‐Oxosilicate Ho₂O[SiO₄] crystallizes monoclinically with the space group P2₁/c (a = 904.15(9), b = 688.93(7), c = 667.62(7) pm, β = 106.384(8)°, Z = 4) in the A‐type structure of rare‐earth(III) oxide oxosilicates. Yellow platelet‐shaped single crystals were obtained as by‐product during an experiment to synthesize Ho₃Cl[SiO₄]₂ by reacting Ho₂O₃ and SiO₂ in the ratio 4 : 6 with an excess of HoCl₃ as flux at 1000 °C for seven days in evacuated silica ampoules. Both crystallographically different Ho³⁺ cations show coordination numbers of 8+1 and 7 with coordination figures of 2+1‐fold capped trigonal prisms and octahedra, in which one of the vertices changes to an edge by two instead of one coordinating atoms, respectively. The O^2— anion not linked to silicon is surrounded tetrahedrally by four Ho³⁺ cations which built a layer parallel (100) by vertex‐ and edge‐sharing of the [OHo₄]¹⁰⁺ units according to {[(O5)(Ho1)_1/1(Ho2)_3/3]⁴⁺}. Within rhombic meshes of these layers the isolated oxosilicate tetrahedra [SiO₄]^4— come to lie. Ho₂S[SiO₄] crystallizes orthorhombically in the space group Pbcm (a = 605.87(5), b = 690.41(6), c = 1064.95(9) pm, Z = 4). It also emerged as a single‐crystalline by‐product obtained during the synthesis of Ho₂OS₂ by reaction of a mixture of Ho₂O₃, Ho and S with the wall of the evacuated silica tube used as container with an excess of CsCl as flux at 800 °C. The structure of the yellow platelet‐shaped, air and water resistant crystals also distinguishes two Ho³⁺ cations with bicapped trigonal prisms and trigondodecahedra as coordination polyhedra for CN = 8. The S^2— anions are almost square planar surrounded by four Ho³⁺ cations, but situated completely outside this plane. The [SHo₄]¹⁰⁺ squares form strongly corrugated layers perpendicular to [100] by corner‐sharing according to {[(S)(Ho1)_2/2(Ho2)_2/2]⁴⁺}. Contrary to the oxide oxosilicates the isolated oxosilicate tetrahedra [SiO₄]^4— do not lie within the rhombic meshes of these layers, but above and below the (Ho2)³⁺ cations while viewing along [100].     

A template-free solvothermal synthesis and photoluminescence properties of multicolor Gd2O2S:xTb3+, yEu3+ hollow spheres

The multicolor Gd₂O₂S:xTb³⁺, yEu³⁺ hollow spheres were successfully synthesized via a template-free solvothermal route without the use of surfactant from commercially available Ln (NO₃)₃·6H₂O (Ln = Gd, Tb and Eu), absolute ethanol, ethanediamine and sublimed sulfur as the starting materials. The phase, structure, particle morphology and photoluminescence (PL) properties of the as-obtained products were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and photoluminescence spectra. The influence of synthetic time on phase, structure and morphology was systematically investigated and discussed. The possible formation mechanism depending on synthetic time t for the Gd₂O₂S phase has been presented. These results demonstrate that the Gd₂O₂S hollow spheres could be obtained under optimal condition, namely solvothermal temperature T = 220 °C and synthetic time t = 16 h. The as-obtained Gd₂O₂S sample possesses hollow sphere structure, which has a typical size of about 2.5 μm in diameter and about 0.5 μm in shell thickness. PL spectroscopy reveals that the strongest emission peak for the Gd₂O₂S:xTb³⁺ and the Gd₂O₂S:yEu³⁺ samples is located at 545 nm and 628 nm, corresponding to ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ transitions of Tb³⁺ ions and ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transitions of Eu³⁺ ions, respectively. The quenching concentration of Tb³⁺ ions and Eu³⁺ ions is 7%. In the case of Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺ co-doped samples, when the concentration of Tb³⁺ or Eu³⁺ ions is 7%, the optimum concentration of Eu³⁺ or Tb³⁺ ions is determined to be 1%. Under 254 nm ultraviolet (UV) light excitation, the Gd₂O₂S:7%Tb³⁺, the Gd₂O₂S:7%Tb³⁺,1%Eu³⁺ and the Gd₂O₂S:7%Eu³⁺ samples give green, yellow and red light emissions, respectively. And the corresponding CIE coordinates vary from (0.3513, 0.5615), (0.4120, 0.4588) to (0.5868, 0.3023), which is also well consistent with their luminous photographs.