Absorption, light emission, and upconversion properties of Tm2+-doped CsCaI3 and RbCaI3

Absorption, light emission, and upconversion properties of Tm2+-doped CsCaI3 and RbCaI3 single crystals are presented and compared. Both compounds show multiple emissions after excitation at 21834 cm(-1) between 10 and 300 K. Besides sharp 4f-4f transitions around 8800 cm(-1), five and three broad 4f-5d emission bands are observed at higher energies in CsCaI3:Tm2+ and RbCaI3:Tm2+, respectively. The 4f-5d transitions are very sensitive to the crystalline environment: the onset of the 4f-5d excitations is red-shifted by about 1000 cm(-1) in RbCaI3:Tm2+ compared to CsCaI3:Tm2+. In addition, a broadening of bands is observed in the former compound. These differences are attributed to the structural changes that occur when the alkali metal is changed from Cs to Rb in these crystal lattices. An increased energy splitting of the multiplets and a red shift of the barycenter of the (4f)12(5d)1 electron configuration in RbCaI3:Tm2+ is the result. This affects not only the color of the visible emission, which turns from green in CsCaI3:Tm2+ to yellow in RbCaI3:Tm2+, but also the excited state dynamics. As a consequence, the dominant upconversion processes are different in the two compounds. Thus, the two title compounds nicely illustrate the influence of the structural environment on the optical spectroscopic properties of Tm2+.     

Upconversion Between 4f-5d Excited States in Tm2+-Doped CsCaCl3, CsCaBr3, and CsCaI3

Near-infrared to visible upconversion luminescence in CsCaCl3:Tm2+, CsCaBr3:Tm2+ and CsCaI3:Tm2+ is presented and analysed. The upconversion process involves exclusively the 4f-5d excited states of Tm2+, which is a novelty among upconversion materials. The presence of more than one long-lived 4f-5d excited state is the prerequisite for this. Multiple emissions from Tm2+ are observed in the title compounds. This is made possible by the favourable energy structure within the 4f-5d states and the low phonon energies of the materials. The energy positions of the relevant 4f-5d states, and thus the photophysical and light emission properties, are affected by the chemical variation along the series. The upconversion efficiency increases from chloride to iodide and the mechanism is found to be a combination of absorption and energy-transfer steps.     

New type of near-infrared to visible photon upconversion in Tm2+-doped CsCaI3

Tm2+ doped in CsCaI3 displays unusual optical properties that are characterized by the existence of two metastable 4f-5d excited states in the near-infrared and visible spectral region, respectively. For the first time, a photon upconversion process based on sequential absorption of light by 4f-5d states is reported. The large absorption cross-section of the involved transitions allows highly efficient pumping in the NIR. An efficiency of 11% for the green upconversion luminescence is reached at 10 K, and the upconversion luminescence remains visible by eye up to room temperature. The energy positions of the relevant 4f-5d states and thus the photophysical and light emission properties can be tuned by chemical variation, such as placing the Tm2+ ion into the isostructural CsCaBr3 and CsCaCl3 lattices.     

Crystal absorption spectra in the region of 4f-4f and 4f-5d excitations in Tm2+-doped CsCaCl3, CsCaBr3, and CsCaI3

Low-temperature absorption spectra of single crystals of Tm2+-doped CsCaCl3, CsCaBr3, and CsCaI3 in the spectral range from 8700 to 47000 cm-1 are presented. Weak sharp-line 4f-4f absorptions around 8800 cm-1 are essentially independent of the nature of the halide. More-intense broad absorptions cover the region between 12000 and 47000 cm-1. They are assigned to 4f-5d excitations and interpreted in terms of a simple qualitative picture taking into account the most important interactions. As a result of two counterbalancing effects, the onsets of the 4f-5d spectra are almost coincident in the three materials: The blue-shift of about 3000 cm-1 between chloride and iodide resulting from the decreasing crystal field splitting of 5d is roughly balanced by the red-shift resulting from the reduced energy gap between the average energy of the 4f13 and the 4f125d1 electron configurations. The absorption helps the understanding of the most unusual light emission properties of these materials.     

Upconversion properties of Er3+, Yb3+ and Tm3+ codoped fluorophosphate glasses

Er3+, Yb3+ and Tm3+ codoped fluorophosphate glasses emitting blue, green and red upconversion luminescence at 970 nm laser diode excitation were studied. It was shown that Tm3+ behaves as the sensitizer to Er3+ for the green upconversion luminescence through the energy transfer process: Tm3+:3H4+Er3+:4I 15/2-->Er3+:4I 9/2+Tm3+:3H6, and for the red upconversion luminescence through the energy transfer process: Tm3+:3F4+Er3+:4I 11/2-->Tm3+:3H6+Er3+:4F 9/2. Moreover, Er3+ acts as quenching center for the blue upconversion luminescence of Tm3+. The sensitization of Tm3+ to Er3+ depends on the concentration of Yb3+. The intensity of blue, green and red emissions can be changed by adjusting the concentrations of the three kinds of rare earth ions. This research may provide useful information for the development of high color and spatial resolution devices and white light simulation.     

A spectroscopic analysis of blue and ultraviolet upconverted emissions from Gd3Ga5O12:Tm3+, Yb3+ nanocrystals

The spectroscopic behavior of gadolinium gallium garnet (Gd3Ga5O12, GGG) nanocrystals codoped with 1% each of Tm3+ and Yb3+ prepared via a solution combustion synthesis procedure was investigated. Initial excitation of the codoped nanocrystals with 465.8 nm (into the 1G4 state) showed a dominant blue-green emission ascribed to the 1G4-3H6 transition as well as red and NIR emissions from the 1G4-3F4 and 1G4-3H5/3H4-3H6 transitions, respectively. Excitation at this wavelength (465.8 nm) showed the existence of a Tm3+ --> Yb3+ energy transfer process evidenced by the presence of the 2F5/2-2F7/2 Yb3+ emission in the NIR emission spectrum. The decay time constants proved that the transfer of energy occurred via the 3H4 state. Following excitation of the Yb3+ ion with 980 nm, intense upconverted emission was observed. Emissions in the UV (1D2-3H6), blue (1D2-3F4), blue-green (1G4-3H6), red (1G4-3F4), and NIR (1G4-3H5/3H4-3H6) were observed and were the direct result of subsequent transfers of energy from the Yb3+ ion to the Tm3+ ion. Power dependence studies showed a deviation from expected values for the number of photons involved in the upconversion thus indicating a saturation of the upconversion process. An energy transfer efficiency of 0.576 was determined experimentally.     

Spectroscopic properties and intense red-light emission of (Ca, Eu, M)WO4 (M=Mg, Zn, Li)

The red-emitting phosphors of (Ca, Eu, M)WO4 (M=Mg, Zn, Li) were prepared through solid-state reactions, and their spectroscopic properties were studied. After the addition of a small amount of Mg2+, Zn2+ or Li+ in (Ca, Eu)WO4, the red-light emission intensity of Eu3+ increases obviously. In the luminescence spectra of the phosphors, the predominant transition emission is 5D0-->7F2 (616nm), whereas the other emissions are very weak. The excitation spectra are composed of interweaved ligand-to-metal charge-transfer bands (CTB) of W6+-O(2-) and Eu3+-O(2-), and a few 4f excitation transitions of Eu3+. Among the 4f excitation transitions of Eu3+, there are three strong excitation lines corresponding to 7F0-->5L6, 7F0-->5D2 and 7F0-->5D1 transitions, whose relative excitation intensity ratio is seriously affected when Li+ doped in the host. The new phosphors may be applied as red-emitting phosphors for white light emitting diodes.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of the quenching of Li(3p,4p) by N2

Quenching mechanisms of the Li3p and Li4p states in collision with the nitrogen molecule are studied by laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy and by a quantum chemical calculation. The Li3p state is observed to be efficiently quenched to the Li3s state detected as intense 3s-->2p emission. The Li4p state is efficiently quenched to the Li4s and Li3d states detected as 4s-2p and 3d-2p emissions, respectively. The potential-energy surfaces for the Li(2s-4p)N2 states show a large number of conical intersections and avoided crossings resulting from the couplings between the ionic [Li+(N2)-] and covalent configurations. There are a large number of stable excited states, and we give here the spectroscopic constants for the lowest two stable isomers correlating to Li2p+N2.     

Crystal Structure,Electronic Structure,and Luminescence of Cs2KYF6:Pr3+

The crystal structure, electronic states and VUV spectroscopic behaviour of Cs₂KYF₆ doped with Pr³⁺ ions have been investigated both by experimental and theoretical methods. Cs₂KYF₆ ( , Z = 4, a = 945.5(3) pm, R1_all = 0.0297) crystallizes with the cubic elpasolite type of structure. The local relaxation of the activator ions in the host lattices has been calculated by the projector augmented wave method (computer code VASP). The electronic states have been calculated using a spin density functional procedure based on the atomic sphere approximation (computer code ASW). VUV spectroscopic measurements show fast 4f¹5d¹ → 4f² emission of nanosecond duration as well as slow 4f² → 4f² emission depending on the excitation energy which indicates the occupation of different sites in the host lattice. This assumption was verified by a recently developed quantum mechanical method. The combination of the experimental and the theoretical results show that the Pr³⁺ ions are occupying three different sites, namely the Y³⁺ and the Cs⁺ site as well as the K⁺ site.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes containing 8-(dimethylphosphino)quinoline (Me(2)Pqn): preparation,crystal structures,and electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of [Ru(bpy or phen)(3)(-)(n)(Me(2)Pqn)(n)](PF(6))(2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; n = 1, 2, or 3)

Several new ruthenium(II) complexes containing 8-(dimethylphosphino)quinoline (Me(2)Pqn) were synthesized, and their structures and electrochemical/spectroscopic properties have been investigated. In addition to the mono(Me(2)Pqn) complex [Ru(bpy or phen)(2)(Me(2)Pqn)](PF(6))(2) (1 or 1'; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), the geometrical isomers trans(P)- and C(1)-[Ru(bpy)(Me(2)Pqn)(2)](PF(6))(2) (tP-2 and C(1)-2) and mer- and fac-[Ru(Me(2)Pqn)(3)](PF(6))(2) (m-3 and f-3) were also selectively synthesized and isolated. It was found that complexes tP-2 and m-3 were converted quantitatively to the corresponding C(1)-2 and f-3 isomers, respectively, by irradiation of light corresponding to the MLCT transition energy. The strong trans influence of the Me(2)P- donor group of Me(2)Pqn was confirmed by the X-ray structural analyses for 1, tP-2, m-3, and f-3. Cyclic voltammetry of a series of complexes, [Ru(bpy)(3)](PF(6))(2), 1, C(1)-2, and f-3, exhibited a reversible one-electron oxidation wave and two or three one-electron reduction waves. The oxidation potentials of the complexes gave a large positive shift with increasing number of coordinated Me(2)Pqn molecules, indicating a larger pi-acceptability of the Me(2)P- group compared with bpy or qn. Complex f-3 in EtOH/MeOH (4:1) glass at 77 K exhibited an intense long-lived (tau = 920 microseconds) emission arising from the quinoline-based (3)(pi-pi) excited state. In contrast, the mixed-ligand complexes 1, 1', and C(1)-2 showed a characteristic dual emission, giving a double-exponential emission decay, and the dual emission originates from both the bpy-based (3)MLCT and the quinoline-based (3)(pi-pi) emitting states.     

Strong visible up-conversion emission in Tb3+, Tm3+ and Tb3+-Tm3+ co-doped tellurite glasses sensitized by Yb3+

Up-conversion luminescence characteristics under 975 nm excitation have been investigated with Tb3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ triply doped tellurite glasses. Here, green (547 nm: (5)D(4)-->(7)F(4)) and red (660 nm: (5)D(4)-->(7)F(2)) up-conversion (UC) luminescence originating from Tb3+ is observed strongly, because of the quadratic dependences of emission intensities on the excitation power. Especially, the UC luminescence was intensified violently with the energy transfer from the Tm3+ ions involves in the Tb3+ excitation. To the Tb3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ triply doped glass system, a novel up-conversion mechanism is proposed as follows: the energy of (3)G(4) level (Tm3+) was transferred to (5)D(4) (Tb(3+)) and the 477-nm UC luminescence of Tm3+ was nearly quenched.     

Yb3+/Tm3+掺杂的NaY(WO4)2纳米晶的制备及发光特性

以聚乙二醇为配位剂,用水热法制备出纳米级上转换发光粉Yb3+和Tm3+共掺杂的NaY(WO4)2。研究了不同cYb/cTm对上转换发光强度的影响,实验表明当cYb/cTm=5∶1时,上转换发光强度最强。用XRD,SEM确定了Yb3+和Tm3+共掺杂的NaY(WO4)2是四方晶系,其粒径在25~35 nm范围,且分散均匀。用980 nm半导体激光器(LD)对其进行激发,在室温下观察到了365 nm附近紫外发射峰、456 nm,476 nm附近的蓝光发射峰和648 nm附近的红光发射峰,分别对应于Tm3+离子的1D2→3H6,1D2→3F4,1G4→3H6和1G4→3F4的跃迁。根据泵浦功率与发光强度的关系得出紫外发射峰、蓝光和红光发射均为双光子过程。     

Synthesis, characterization, solid-state structures, and spectroscopic properties of two catechol-based luminescent chemosensors for biologically relevant oxometalates

The new heteroditopic ligand 2,3-dihydroxy-N-(1,10-phenanthroline-5-yl)benzamide (H2-L3) was synthesized and coordinated to [Ru(bpy)2(phen)]2+- and [ReBr(CO)3(phen)]-type luminophores (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). The resulting chemosensors [Ru(bpy)2(H2-L3)]2+ and [ReBr(CO)3(H2-L3)] were fully characterized and their solid-state structures and spectroscopic properties were investigated to assess how the photophysical properties of the luminescent signaling units affect the performance of the sensors. [Ru(bpy)2(H2-L3)]2+ and [ReBr(CO)3(H2-L3)] both signal the presence and concentration of molybdate and vanadate in aqueous acetonitrile through a decrease in emission intensity. [ReBr(CO)3(H2-L3)] also detects tungstate. Due to the higher emission intensity of the Ru-based sensor, its detection limits for molybdate (43 microg L(-1)) and vanadate (24 microg L(-1)) are almost 1 order of magnitude lower than the ones achieved with the Re-based sensor. The optimum working pH of the chemosensors is determined by the pKa values of the 2-hydroxy-groups of the receptor units: pH 4 for [ReBr(CO)3(H2-L3)] and pH 3 for [Ru(bpy)2(H2-L3)]2+. Both sensors are selective: equimolar amounts of PO4(3-), SO4(2-), ReO4-, Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) do not interfere with the detection of molybdate or vanadate.     

一种上转换白光荧光粉的制备与发光性能研究

采用高温固相法制备了上转换白光荧光粉AlF3-YbF3:Er3+/Tm3+。通过XRD物相分析可知:上转换白光荧光粉AlF3-YbF3:Er3+/Tm3+是由三方AlF3相和正交YbF3相组成;利用发射光谱研究了该荧光粉的上转换发光性能,并且分析了当固定Er3+离子掺杂浓度时,Tm3+离子掺杂浓度对上转换白光荧光粉AlF3-YbF3:Er3+/Tm3+色度的影响,进而提出其上转换能量传递机制。结果表明:在980 nm激光激发下,波长为410 nm的紫光峰、550 nm的绿光峰和660 nm的红光峰分别对应于荧光粉中Er3+离子的2H9/2→4I15/2,4S3/2→4I15/2和4F9/2→4I15/2能级的跃迁,而波长为360 nm的紫外光峰、450 nm的蓝光峰、700 nm的红光峰,分别对应于荧光粉中Tm3+离子的1D2→3H6,1G4→3H6和1G4→3F4能级的跃迁,Er3+离子发出的光与Tm3+离子发出的光最终混合成色坐标为x=0.32,y=0.36的白光。此外,通过980 nm半导体激光器和EPM 2000 Dual-channel Joulemeter/Power meter测得该荧光粉最大上转换效率为6.90%。     

Controllable synthesis and tunable luminescence properties of Y2(WO4)3:Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Yb/Er, Yb/Tm and Yb/Ho) 3D hierarchical architectures

Yttrium tungstate precursors with novel 3D hierarchical architectures assembled from nanosheet building blocks were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method with the assistance of sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate (SDBS). After calcination, the precursors were easily converted to Y(2)(WO(4))(3) without an obvious change in morphology. The as-prepared precursors and Y(2)(WO(4))(3) were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra, respectively. The results reveal that the morphology and dimensions of the as-prepared precursors can be effectively tuned by altering the amounts of organic SDBS and the reaction time, and the possible formation mechanism was also proposed. Upon ultraviolet (UV) excitation, the emission of Y(2)(WO(4))(3):x mol% Eu(3+) microcrystals can be tuned from white to red, and the doping concentration of Eu(3+) has been optimized. Furthermore, the up-conversion (UC) luminescence properties as well as the emission mechanisms of Y(2)(WO(4))(3):Yb(3+)/Ln(3+) (Ln = Er, Tm, Ho) microcrystals were systematically investigated, which show green (Er(3+), (4)S(3/2), (2)H(11/2)→(4)I(15/2)), blue (Tm(3+), (1)G(4)→(3)H(6)) and yellow (Ho(3+), (5)S(2)→(5)I(8)) luminescence under 980 nm NIR excitation. Moreover, the doping concentration of the Yb(3+) has been optimized under a fixed concentration of Er(3+) for the UC emission of Y(2)(WO(4))(3):Yb(3+)/Er(3+).     

掺铥硫氧化钇的特殊余辉性质

迄今为止,稀土长余辉磷光体已见文献或专利公开报道的激活离子主要有适于紫外光激发的三价铈离子(Ce³⁺)和三价镨离子(Pr³⁺)、适于可见光激发的铕离子(Eu³⁺和Eu²⁺)及钐离子(Sm³⁺,Sm²⁺),尚未涉及到铥离子Tm³⁺或Tm²⁺.我们在Tm³⁺离子激活的硫氧化钇体系Y₂O₂S:Tm³⁺中发现了长余辉荧光特性.特别是在该磷光体中还发现了一种非常特殊的余辉现象.     

共沉淀法合成稀土正磷酸盐(La,Gd)PO4:RE3+(RE=Eu,Tb)及其真空紫外光谱特性

采用共沉淀法制备了稀土正磷酸盐荧光粉(La,Gd)PO4:RE3+(RE=Eu,Tb).红外光谱分析发现GdPO4的红外光谱吸收峰与LaPO4一致,只是峰位向高波数方向移动.(La,Gd)PO4:RE3+的真空紫外光谱特性研究表明,Gd3+在能量传递过程中起中间体作用.XPS研究揭示,LaPO4的价带由O2-的2p能级构成,而GdPO4的价带则是由O2-的2p能级和Gd3+的4f能级共同构成.     

Solvothermal synthesis and characterization of Ln (Eu3+, Tb3+) doped hydroxyapatite

Luminescent Ln (Eu3+, Tb3+) doped hydroxyapatite (Eu:HAp, Tb:HAp) phosphors were successfully fabricated via the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)/n-octane/n-butanol/water microemulsion-mediated solvothermal process. The structure, morphology, and optical properties were systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as the kinetic decays, respectively. The XRD results reveal that the obtained Eu:HAp and Tb:HAp show the characteristic peaks of hydroxyapatite in a hexagonal lattice structure. It is observed that the as-prepared luminescent samples exhibit rod-like morphology with well dispersed and non-aggregated size distribution. Upon excitation by UV radiation, the phosphors demonstrate the characteristic 5D 0-7F 1-4 emission lines of Eu3+ and the characteristic 5D4-7F 3-6 emission lines of Tb3+. Moreover, the photoluminescence intensities (PL) of Eu3+ and Tb3+ can be tuned by altering the solvothermal temperature and the doping concentration of Eu3+ and Tb3+.     

Highly uniform and monodisperse beta-NaYF(4):Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Tb, Yb/Er, and Yb/Tm) hexagonal microprism crystals: hydrothermal synthesis and luminescent properties

beta-NaYF4:Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Tb, Yb/Er, and Yb/Tm) hexagonal microprisms with remarkably uniform morphology and size have been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. It is found that sodium citrate as a shape modifier introduced into the reaction system plays a critical role in the shape evolution of the final products. Furthermore, the shape and size of the products can be further manipulated by adjusting the molar ratio of citrate/RE3+ (RE represents the total amount of Y3+ and the doped rare earth elements such as Eu3+, Tb3+, Yb3+/Er3+, or Yb3+/Tm3+). Under the excitation of 397 nm ultraviolet light, NaYF4:xEu3+ (x = 1.5, 5%) shows the emission lines of Eu3+ corresponding to 5D0-3 --> 7FJ (J = 0-4) transitions from 400 to 700 nm (whole visible spectral region) with different intensity, resulting in yellow and red down-conversion (DC) light emissions, respectively. When doped with 5% Tb3+ ions, the strong DC fluorescence corresponding to 5D4 --> 7FJ (J = 6, 5, 4, 3) transitions with 5D4 --> 7F5 (green emission at 544 nm) being the most prominent group that has been observed. In addition, under 980 nm laser excitation, the Yb3+/Er3+- and Yb3+/Tm3+-codoped beta-NaYF4 samples exhibit bright green and whitish blue up-conversion (UC) luminescence, respectively. The luminescence mechanisms for the doped lanthanide ions were thoroughly analyzed.     

Luminescence of RE~(3+) and energy transfer from Gd~(3+) to RE~(3+) (RE = Dy, Eu) in SrGdAlO_4:RE~(3+)

Spectral properties of Gd3+, Dy3+ and Eu3+ ions in SrGdAlO4 are reported in detail. A cooperative vibronic transition of Gd3+ and the emission from the higher 5DJ (J=1, 2, 3) levels of Eu3+ were observed. Energy transfer occurs from Gd3+ to Dy3+ and to Eu3+. The influence of Gd3+ and Dy3+ concentrations on the luminescence intensity is discussed.