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.     

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.     

Luminescence Tuning of Upconversion Nanocrystals

Upconversion luminescence tuning of β‐NaYF₄ nanorods under 980 nm excitation has successfully been achieved by tridoping with Ln³⁺ ions with different electronic structures. The effects of Ce³⁺ ions on NaYF₄:Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺ as well as Gd³⁺ ions on NaYF₄:Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺(Er³⁺) have been studied in detail. By tridoping with Ce³⁺ ions, not only were unusual ⁵G₅→⁵I₇ and ⁵F₂/³K₈→⁵I₈ transitions from Ho³⁺ ions and 5d→4f transitions from Ce³⁺ ions observed in NaYF₄:Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺ nanorods, but also an increase in the intensity of ⁵F₅→⁵I₈ relative to ⁵S₂/⁵F₄→⁵I₈ with increasing Ce³⁺ concentration, which can be attributed to efficient energy transfers of ⁵I₆ (Ho)+²F_5/2 (Ce)→⁵I₇ (Ho)+²F_7/2 (Ce) and ⁵S₂/⁵F₄ (Ho)+²F_5/2 (Ce)→⁵F₅ (Ho)+²F_7/2 (Ce). Interestingly, with increasing pump power density, the luminescence of NaYF₄:Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺ nanorods is always dominated by the ⁵S₂/⁵F₄→⁵I₈ transition, whereas the luminescence of Ce³⁺‐tridoped NaYF₄:Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺ nanorods is dominated by the ⁵S₂/⁵F₄→⁵I₈ and ⁵G₅→⁵I₇ transitions in turn. These observations are discussed on the basis of a rate equation model. Furthermore, Gd³⁺‐tridoped NaYF₄:Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺(Er³⁺) nanorods can emit multicolor upconversion emissions spanning from the UV to the near‐infrared under 980 nm excitation. ⁶P_5/2→⁸S_7/2 (≈306 nm) and ⁶P_7/2→⁸S_7/2 (≈311 nm) transitions from Gd³⁺ ions were observed. In addition to the aforementioned luminescence properties, these Gd³⁺‐tridoped nanorods also exhibit paramagnetic behavior at room temperature and superparamagnetic behavior at 2 or 5 K.     

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.     

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.     

Rare‐Earth‐Based Nanoparticles with Simultaneously Enhanced Near‐Infrared (NIR)‐Visible (Vis) and NIR‐NIR Dual‐Conversion Luminescence for Multimodal Imaging

Multifunctional NaGdF₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺,Nd³⁺@NaGdF₄:Nd³⁺ core–shell nanoparticles (called Gd:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺,Nd³⁺@Gd:Nd³⁺ NPs) with simultaneously enhanced near‐infrared (NIR)‐visible (Vis) and NIR‐NIR dual‐conversion (up and down) luminescence (UCL/DCL) properties were successfully synthesized. The resulting core–shell NPs simultaneously emitted enhanced UCL at 522, 540, and 660 nm and DCL at 980 and 1060 nm under the excitation of a 793 nm laser. The enhanced UCL and DCL can be explained by complex energy‐transfer processes, Nd³⁺→Yb³⁺→Er³⁺ and Nd³⁺→Yb³⁺, respectively. The effects of Nd³⁺ concentration and shell thickness on the UCL/DCL properties were systematically investigated. The UCL and DCL properties of NPs were observed under the optimal conditions: a shell Nd³⁺ content of 20 % and a shell thickness of approximately 5 nm. Moreover, the Gd:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺,Nd³⁺@Gd:20 % Nd³⁺ NPs exhibited remarkable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) properties similar to that of a clinical agent, Omniscan. Thus, the core–shell NPs with excellent UCL/DCL/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) properties have great potential for both in vitro and in vivo multimodal bioimaging.     

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.     

Ho3+/Yb3+共掺ZnO-Al2O3-GeO2-SiO2玻璃陶瓷的制备和上转换发光性质

综合ZnO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂系和锗酸盐玻璃陶瓷的优点,采用熔融-晶化法首次制备了Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺共掺以ZnAl₂O₄为主晶相的ZnO-Al₂O₃-GeO₂-SiO₂系玻璃陶瓷。因[GeO₄]四面体和[SiO₄]四面体都是玻璃网络形成体,讨论了GeO₂取代SiO₂对玻璃陶瓷样品硬度及发光性能的影响,最终确定GeO₂的取代量为10.55%（w/w）时,玻璃陶瓷综合性能最佳。在980 nm泵浦光的激发下,发现强的绿色（546 nm）和弱的红色（650 nm）上转换发光,并研究了不同Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺掺杂比对样品上转换发光的影响,最终结果表明当Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺掺杂比为1：11（n/n）时样品荧光强度最强,在绿色上转换发光材料方面具有潜在的应用。     

Cooperative Sensitization Upconversion in Solution Dispersions of Co-Crystal Assemblies of Mononuclear Yb3+ and Eu3+ Complexes

Lanthanide upconversion luminescence in nanoparticles has prompted continuous breakthroughs in information storage, temperature sensing, and biomedical applications, among others. Achieving upconversion luminescence at the molecular scale is still a critical challenge in modern chemistry. In this work, we explored the upconversion luminescence of solution dispersions of co-crystals composed of discrete mononuclear Yb(DBM)₃Bpy and Eu(DBM)₃Bpy complexes (DBM: dibenzoylmethane, Bpy: 2,2′-bipyridine). The 613 nm emission of Eu³⁺ was observed under excitation of Yb³⁺ at 980 nm. From the series of molecular assemblies studied, the most intense luminescence was obtained for a 1 : 1 molar ratio of Yb³⁺ : Eu³⁺, resulting in a high quantum yield of 0.67 % at 2.1 W cm⁻². The structure and energy transfer mechanism of the assemblies were fully characterized. This is the first example of an Eu³⁺-based upconverting system composed of two discrete mononuclear lanthanide complexes present as co-crystals in non-deuterated solution.     

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.     

Synthesis and Infrared Multi‐band Absorption Properties of Core‐shell NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+@SiO2 Nanoparticles

Due to the unique size effects, nanomaterials in infrared absorption have attracted much attention for their strong absorption in the infrared region. To achieve the infrared multi‐band absorption, we propose to synthesize a core‐shell structure nanomaterial consisting of NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ core and a layer of SiO₂ as shell. A series of NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ nanocrystals were synthesized through hydrothermal method by adjusting the ratio of citric acid(CA)‐to‐NaOH, and the effects of CA concentration, and NaOH concentration were studied in detail. NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺@SiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized by sol‐gel method using TEOS as silica source. The results show that the core‐shell NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺@SiO₂ nanoparticles were successfully synthesized. Up‐conversion spectra of these nanoparticles were recorded with 980 nm laser excitation under room temperature. There are no changes of the emission centers of nanoparticles before or after silica coating, but the emission intensities of nanoparticles after silica coating are weakened. Furthermore, the property of infrared multi‐band absorption was tested through ultraviolet‐visible‐near infrared spectrophotometer and infrared absorption spectra. The results illustrate that the multi‐band infrared absorption nanomaterial was successfully synthesized.     

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.     

Mechanochemical synthesis and thermal stability of phases in the Y2O3–Yb2O3 system

Substitutional, continuous solid solution of the general formula Y_2–xYb_xO₃ was obtained from the mixture of Y₂O₃ and Yb₂O₃ oxides, for the first time by the mechanochemical method in a high-energy ball milling. The monophasic samples of nanocrystalline solid solution for x?>?0.00 and x?<?2.00 were examined by the methods: XRD, DTA, SEM, IR and UV–Vis–DR. As follows from the results, the solid solution crystallizes in cubic system and is isostructural with Y₂O₃ and Yb₂O₃. The solution is stable in the air atmosphere up to at least 900°C, and its decomposition temperature decreases with the increase in x, that is, with decreasing number of Yb³⁺ ions replacing Y³⁺ ions in the crystal lattice of Y₂O₃. The energy band gap estimated for the solid solution varies from?~?5.30 eV for x?=?0.50 to?~?4.90 eV for x?=?1.50, which means that it is an insulator.

     

Ho3+/Yb3+共掺ZnO-Al2O3-GeO2-SiO2玻璃陶瓷的制备和上转换发光性质

综合ZnO-Al_2O_3-SiO_2系和锗酸盐玻璃陶瓷的优点,采用熔融-晶化法首次制备了Ho~(3+)/Yb~(3+)共掺以ZnAl_2O_4为主晶相的ZnO-Al_2O_3-GeO_2-SiO_2系玻璃陶瓷。因[GeO_4]四面体和[SiO_4]四面体都是玻璃网络形成体,讨论了GeO_2取代SiO_2对玻璃陶瓷样品硬度及发光性能的影响,最终确定GeO_2的取代量为10.55%(w/w)时,玻璃陶瓷综合性能最佳。在980 nm泵浦光的激发下,发现强的绿色(546 nm)和弱的红色(650 nm)上转换发光,并研究了不同Ho~(3+)/Yb~(3+)掺杂比对样品上转换发光的影响,最终结果表明当Ho~(3+)/Yb~(3+)掺杂比为1∶11(n/n)时样品荧光强度最强,在绿色上转换发光材料方面具有潜在的应用。     

Synthesis and photoluminescence of the Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphor nanowires in AAO template

The monodisperse array and nanowires of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ phosphor were synthesized using anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template by sol–gel method. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images indicated that Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ nanowires are parallelly arranged, all of which are in uniform diameter of about 50 nm. The high-magnification SEM image showed that each nanowire is composed of a lot of agglutinating particles. The patterns of selected-area electron diffraction confirmed that Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ nanowires mainly consist of polycrystalline materials. Excitation and emission spectra of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺/AAO composite films were measured. The characteristic red emission peak of Eu³⁺ ion attributed to ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition in Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺/AAO nanowires broadened its halfwidth.     

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     

Dual-mode luminescence of Er3+/Yb 3+ codoped LnP0.5V0.5O4 (Ln=Y,Gd, La) for highly sensitive optical nanothermometry

The luminescence properties of 2%Er³⁺/15%Yb³⁺ doped LnP_0.5V_0.5O₄ (LnPVO₄) (Ln = Y, Gd, La) phosphors, synthesized via the traditional citric-assisted Sol gel method, are studied under light excitations of 980 nm and 325 nm to generate the ²H_11/2/⁴S_3/2–⁴I_15/2 transitions via up- and downshifting mechanisms, respectively. The phase purity of the samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We present herein a comparative study of the spectral and temperature sensing properties of LnPVO₄: Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ (Ln = Y, Gd, La) phosphors. The crystal field effects on the up-shifting luminescence and on the thermometric parameters are investigated by the substitution of Er³⁺ ions on Y³⁺, Gd³⁺ or La³⁺ sites in the YPVO₄, GdPVO₄ and LaPVO₄ hosts respectively. Fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) technique was used to study the temperature sensing behavior of the phosphors. This study showed that downshifting emission gives the highest thermal sensitivities and the greatest thermal resolution compared to downshifting emission. These outcomes indicate that these materials are preferred for use in the luminescence temperature sensing in a down-conversion process to provide the greatest performance.     

Enhanced ultraviolet up-conversion emissions of Tm/Yb codoped YF3 nanocrystals

Tm³⁺/Yb³⁺ codoped rod-like YF₃ nanocrystals were synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method. After annealing in an argon atmosphere, the nanocrystals emitted bright blue and intense ultraviolet (UV) light under a 980-nm continuous wave diode laser excitation. Up-conversion emissions centered at ∼291 nm (¹I₆ → ³H₆), ∼347 nm (¹I₆ → ³F₄), ∼362 nm (¹D₂ → ³H₆), ∼452 nm (¹D₂ → ³F₄), ∼476 nm (¹G₄ → ³H₆), ∼642 nm (¹G₄ → ³F₄), and ∼805 nm (³H₄ → ³H₆) were recorded using a fluorescence spectrophotometer. Especially, enhanced UV emissions were studied by changing Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺ doping concentrations, the annealing temperatures, and the excitation power densities. A possible mechanism, energy transfer-cross relaxation-energy transfer (ET-CR-ET), was proposed based on a simple rate-equation model to elucidate the process of the enhanced UV emissions.     

Luminescence behavior of Eu3+ in polytitanasiloxane solution

Polytitanasiloxane solutions containing Eu³⁺ ions have been prepared by the hydrolytic cocondensation of tetraethoxysilane and tetrabutyl titanate. The UV‐vis absorption and the luminescence intensity were both found to increase with the increase of tetrabutyl titanate/tetraethoxysilane (TBT/TEOS) molar ratio. This revealed that the incorporation of TiO₂ can result in the increase of absorption energy of the Ti? O group by near‐UV excitation and in the increase of energy transfer to the metal ion. At the same time, the intensity ratio of ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ to ⁵D₀→⁷F₁ increases as the TBT/TEOS molar ratio increases, indicating the formation of Eu³⁺? O^2?? Ti⁴⁺ bonding. A longer decay time means that the Eu³⁺ ions are better dispersed and less clustered with the increase of TBT/TEOS molar ratio. The results on the luminescence properties of the Eu³⁺ in different media containing ethanol or water suggest that the incorporation of TiO₂ can shield Eu³⁺ ions from the effect of water and ethanol molecules, which leads to an improvement of the Eu³⁺ surroundings. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1357–1363, 2006