Multifunctional Er3+–Yb3+ codoped Gd2O3 nanocrystalline phosphor synthesized through optimized combustion route

This paper reports the synthesis of high upconversion luminescent Gd₂O₃: Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ nanophosphor through optimized combustion route using urea as a reducing agent. The paper also reports the first observation of upconversion emission bands extending upto the UV region (335, 366 and 380 nm) in Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ co-doped phosphor materials. The fuel to oxidizer ratio has been varied to obtain the maximum upconversion luminescence. Three high intensity bands are found at 408, 523–548 and 667 nm due to the ⁴G_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2, ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions, respectively, along with the other bands. Input excitation power dependence has been studied for different transitions, and the saturation effect and decrease in the slope of different transitions at higher input pump power has been explained. Heat treatments of the samples show change in crystallite phase/size and relative upconversion luminescence intensities of blue, green and red bands. The color of the phosphor emission has shown to be tunable with change in the crystal structure as well as on excitation laser power and Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ concentration. The property of color tunability of the phosphor material has been used to record the fingerprint in different colors. Also, the future prospect of the nanocrystalline phosphor material as a sensor for temperature, using FIR method, has been explored.     

Efficient UV–visible up-conversion emission in Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped La2O3 nano-crystalline phosphor

A nano-crystalline La₂O₃: Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ phosphor sample has been synthesized through the solution combustion route using urea as a reducing agent. Thermal, structural and optical characterizations have been carried out to explore several of its properties. By thermal analysis one concludes to the presence of moisture and hydroxide phases [La(OH)₃ and LaOOH] of lanthanum in the as-synthesized sample, which further changes to La₂O₃ phase above 600°C temperature. Up-conversion (UC) study shows the intense emission bands in the UV, blue, green and red regions. This paper also reports the first observation of UC emission bands extending up to the UV (240 nm) region on excitation with 976 nm wavelength. Heat treatment of the samples shows a change in the crystallite phase along with crystallite growth and relative UC luminescence intensities. The input pump power dependence shows the involvement of up to four photons.     

Optical study of single crystals grown by the Czochralski method from Yb3+-doped (Gd1−x Y x )2SiO5 solid solution

Yb³⁺-doped crystals were grown by the Czochralski method from (Gd_0.5Y_0.5)₂SiO₅ melt employing seeds cut out from single crystals of Yb:Gd₂SiO₅ and Yb:Y₂SiO₅. XRD analysis revealed that the structure of the solid solution crystals grown is consistent with the structure of the seed, namely C2/c for the Yb:Y₂SiO₅ seed and P2₁/c for the Yb:Gd₂SiO₅ seed. Optical absorption spectra, emission spectra and luminescence decay curves were recorded at 10 K and 300 K. Analysis of gathered spectroscopic data made it possible to evaluate radiative transition rates for the ²F_5/2 multiplet of Yb³⁺ in the two structures and to assess crystal field splitting of multiplets involved in radiative transitions. It has been concluded that transition intensities and relaxation dynamics of Yb³⁺ in the systems studied are similar but the intensity distribution of emission and absorption bands depends significantly on the system structure. This feature, combined with inhomogeneous broadening of spectral lines, may be advantageous for the tailoring of lasers employing ytterbium-doped crystals for specific applications.     

Yb3+,Er3+掺杂的SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+长余辉材料的发光特性

根据Dorenbos能级模型的推论,利用掺杂Yb3+和Er3+对典型的长余辉材料SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+(简称SAO:ED)的发光特性(发光强度和余辉时间)进行调制.在发光特性分析中,发展并使用了一种简便易行的解析模型,而不是常用的多项e指数衰减函数的经验模型.研究发现,正如Dorenbos所预言的,Yb+3掺杂确实能够提高SAO:ED的发光强度;但进一步研究发现,Yb3+不完全是发光中心,而是一种辅助激发中心.Er3+掺杂效果也和Dorenbos的预言相同,即它是一种俘获中心;但是当Er3+和Yb3+共掺杂时,Er3+却有一种脱俘作用,使得初始发光强度增强,衰减常数变小,但蓄光能力变化不大.     

Yb3+,Er3+掺杂的SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+长余辉材料的发光特性

根据Dorenbos能级模型的推论,利用掺杂Yb3+和Er3+对典型的长余辉材料SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+(简称SAO:ED)的发光特性(发光强度和余辉时间)进行调制.在发光特性分析中,发展并使用了一种简便易行的解析模型,而不是常用的多项e指数衰减函数的经验模型.研究发现,正如Dorenbos所预言的,Yb+3...     

Diode laser pumped Gd2O3:Er3+/Yb3+ phosphor as optical nano-heater

An intense green upconversion (UC) emission (λ _exc=976 nm) followed by the heating effect in Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ co-doped Gd₂O₃ nanoparticles has been detected. A temperature rise up to 504 K has been observed (on a noteworthy low laser excitation of 290 mW) using fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) method of the thermalized UC luminescence bands ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 of Er³⁺ ion. The reported controlled optical heating of nanoparticles and its nano-volume has potential applications in biomedicines and in the creation of holes in soft materials.     

Band gap control and photoluminescence properties of Ba(Co2x Ti1−x )O3 thin films prepared by Sol–gel method

This paper reports on the preparation, characterization and optical properties of transparent Ba(Co_2x Ti_1?x )O₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.06) thin films prepared by sol–gel method and deposited on fused quartz substrate by spin-coating technique. Their formation is confirmed by X-ray diffraction patterns, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and Fourier transformed infrared measurements. Hitherto unreported near-band-gap photoluminescence in ultraviolet, at 378 nm (3.28 eV), of exciton origin is observed which remains unaffected with change in excitation wavelength from 320 to 350 nm. A weak defect emission appears in green region. For larger excitation wavelength, i.e., 488 nm, emission arising from localized states again occurs in green region but with lower energy. The occurrence of efficient violet–blue PL emission is related to ‘direct’ band gap and shallow levels with high optical band gap values. Analysis of band gap variation with dopant concentration, determined using Tauc’s plot assuming them both of ‘direct’ and ‘indirect’ nature, also indicates the ‘direct’ nature. Co⁺² ions as dopants promote a decrease of band gap of films linearly. Scanning electron micrographs show the granular and flakes-like surface growth. Atomic force microscopy images show the presence of ribbon-like nanostructured grains throughout the surface of the films which is smooth with small values of surface roughness.     

Colour emission tunability in Ho3+–Tm3+–Yb3+ co-doped Y2O3 upconverted phosphor

The frequency upconversion (UC) emission throughout the visible region from the Y₂O₃:Ho³⁺?CTm³⁺?CYb³⁺ co-doped phosphors synthesized by using low temperature combustion process upon excitation with a diode laser operating at 980?nm have been presented. The colour emission tunability in co-doped phosphor has been observed on increasing the pump power and seen by the naked eyes. The tunability in colour emission has also been visualized by CIE chromaticity diagram. The variation in UC emission intensity of the ¹G₄????³H₆ (Tm³⁺) and ⁵F₃????⁵I₈ (Ho³⁺) transitions lying in the blue region has been monitored with increase in the pump power and marked that their ratio can be used to determine the temperature. The developed phosphor has been used to record fingerprints. The observed most intense visible colour emission from the developed material may be used for photodynamic therapy and as an alternative of traditional fluorescent biolabels.     

Magnetic properties of (GdxY1−x)Co2B2 compounds

Magnetic measurements were performed on the (Gd_xY_1−x)Co₂B₂ compounds, in the temperature range 2–800 K and fields up to 70 kOe. YCo₂B₂ is a paramagnet. The (Gd_xY_1−x)Co₂B₂ compounds with x≥0.2 shows a ferromagnetic type ordering. The saturation magnetization at 2 K coincides only with the contribution of gadolinium. The Curie temperatures are nearly linearly dependent on the composition. Above the Curie points, the thermal variations of the magnetic susceptibility can be described as a superposition of a temperature independent term ϰ₀ on a Curie-Weiss behavior. The Curie constants are determined by the contribution of Gd³⁺ ions only. The ϰ₀ values increase when the gadolinium content is greater. The observed properties are discussed in the wider framework of the magnetic behavior of cobalt in GdCo_xB_y compounds.     

Magnetic ordering on Yb3+ in YbBa2Cu3O7−x

The high critical temperature superconductor YbBa₂Cu₃O_7−x has been studied over the range 0.05 to 95K using ¹⁷⁰Yb Mössbauer absorption spectroscopy. Magnetic ordering occurs within the Yb³⁺ sublattice at 0.35K. The saturated magnetic moments are 1.7μ_B. At all temperatures the hyperfine parameters show the presence of distributions attributed to some disordering of the oxygen vacancies.     

Intense 974 nm emission from ErxYb2−xSi2O7 films through efficient energy transfer up-conversion from Er3+ to Yb3+ for Si solar cell

The optical properties of the Er_xYb_2?xSi₂O₇ thin films were investigated by photoluminescence measurements and the intense 974 nm light emission was observed. The 974 nm emission was mainly from the transition ²F_5/2 to ²F_7/2 level of Yb³⁺ upon exploring energy-transfer via up-conversion at Er^{3+ 4}I_13/2 level. Under 972 nm excitation, the lifetime at Er^{3+ 4}I_13/2 level reaches up to 4 ms for film containing 2 at% Er³⁺, while decreases to about 20 μs as the film is pumped by 488 nm. This confirmed that the energy transfer up-conversion process was the dominant transition at Er^{3+ 4}I_13/2 level. This may be of interest to improve the solar cells′ efficiency by placing this film at the rear of cell, converting the near-infrared photons between 1480 nm and 1580 nm to just above the Si bandgap.     

Luminescent properties of red-emitting LiSr4B3O(9−3x/2)Nx:Eu2+ phosphor for white-LEDs

An Eu²⁺-activated oxynitride LiSr_(4?y)B₃O_(9?3x/2)N_x:yEu²⁺ red-emitting phosphor was synthesized by solid-state reactions. The synthesized phosphor crystallized in a cubic system with space group Ia–3d. The LiSr₄B₃O_(9?3x/2)N_x:Eu²⁺ phosphors exhibited a broad red emission band with a peak at 610 nm and a full width at half maximum of 106 nm under 410 nm excitation, which is ascribed to the 4f⁶5d¹→4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺. The optimal doped nitrogen concentration was observed to be x=0.75. The average decay times of two different emission centers were estimated to be 568 and 489 ns in the LiSr_3.99B₃O_8.25N_0.5:0.01Eu²⁺ phosphors, respectively. Concentration quenching of Eu²⁺ ions occurred at y=0.07, and the critical distance was determined as 17.86 Å. The non-radiative transitions via dipole–dipole interactions resulted in the concentration quenching of Eu²⁺-site emission centers in the LiSr₄B₃O₉ host. These results indicate LiSr₄B₃O_(9?3x/2)N_x:Eu²⁺ phosphor is promising for application in white near-UV LEDs.     

Characterization of (Na0.47K0.47Li0.06)(SbxNb1−x)O3 ceramics prepared by molten salt synthesis method

In this study, (Na_0.47K_0.47Li_0.06)(Sb_xNb_1?x)O₃ (NKL(Sb_xNb_1?x)O₃) powder is synthesized by molten salt synthesis method (MSS). The resulting products were characterized by the X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) method. The (XRD) result of the corresponding ceramics proved the existence of the tetragonal phase symmetry near the morphotropic phase boundary. The SEM images indicated that the crystalline powder was well separated and no aggregate was present. The NKL(Sb_xNb_1?x)O₃ exhibited a strong compositional dependence and enhanced electrical properties while maintaining high Curie temperature. The results show that (NKL) (Sb_xNb_1?x)O₃ ceramics made by MSS method are promising candidates for lead-free piezoelectric materials.     

Near-ultraviolet Upconversion Luminescence in CaF2∶ Yb3+, Er3 + Nanocrystals

研究了Er3+和Yb3+共掺杂的CaF2纳米材料的制备及其紫外上转换发光性质.在980 nm二极管激光器激发下,该材料可发出相对较强的紫外和绿色双色上转换发光.研究了敏化离子Yb3+以及发光中心离子Er3+掺杂量对该材料紫外上转换发光相对强度的影响,并进一步对该材料紫外上转换发光增强的可能机制进行了探讨.     

Tunable growth of (GaxIn1−x)2O3 nanowires by water vapor

The tunable growth of In-doped Ga₂O₃ (Ga₂O₃:In) and Ga-doped In₂O₃ (In₂O₃:Ga) nanowires (NWs) on Au-coated Si substrates was achieved by modulating the amount of water vapor in flowing Ar at 700–750 °C via carbothermal reduction of Ga₂O₃/In₂O₃ powders with a fixed weight ratio. In Ar, only the Ga₂O₃:In NWs were grown, while in wet Ar the In₂O₃:Ga NWs were synthesized instead. The Ga concentration in In₂O₃ NWs decreased with the increment of water vapor in flowing Ar. The growth of both Ga₂O₃:In and In₂O₃:Ga NWs followed the vapor–liquid–solid process. The In and Ga doping induced a redshift and a blueshift in the optical bandgaps of Ga₂O₃ NWs and In₂O₃ NWs, respectively. The growth mechanisms and optical properties of Ga₂O₃:In and In₂O₃:Ga NWs were discussed.     

氧化物纳米材料Y2O3:(Yb3+,Er3+)上转换发光性质的研究

以Y2O3,Yb2O3,Er2O3为原料,利用燃烧法分别制备了Y2O3:Er3 和Y2O3:(Yb3 ,Er3 )两种纳米材料和相应的体材料Y2O3:(Yb3 ,Er3 ).用发射波长为978 nm的半导体激光器和日立F-4500荧光分析仪测量了它们的上转换发光,得到纳米材料Y2O3:Er3 的上转换发光主要为绿色上转换发射而纳米材料Y2O3:(Yb3 ,Er3 )主要为红色上转换发射,而后者与激活离子掺杂浓度相同的体材料Y2O3:(Yb3 ,Er3 )的上转换发射相比较,体材料以绿色上转换发射为主、红色上转换发射很弱.     

Phase formation and dielectric properties of (Pb0.925Ba0.075)(Zr1− x Ti x )O3 ceramics prepared by the solid-state reaction method

Lead barium zirconate titanate [(Pb_0.925Ba_0.075)(Zr_{1? x} Ti _x )O₃] ceramics with 0?≤?x?≤?1 were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The calcination temperatures were between 800°C and 1000°C for 1?h and the sintering temperature was 1200°C for 3?h. It was found that the structure of the calcined powders and sintered pellets was in an orthorhombic phase for x?=?0; a rhombohedral phase for x?=?0.25 and a tetragonal phase for 0.5?≤?x?≤?1. The c/a ratio increased with an increase in the x content. The average particle size and density slightly decreased with an increase in the x content, while the average grain size, linear shrinkage, and Curie temperature increased when the x content increased.     

Enhance luminescence by introducing alkali metal ions (R+ = Li+, Na+ and K+) in SrAl2O4:Eu3+ phosphor by solid-state reaction method

In the present article, the role of charge compensator ions (R⁺?=?Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) in europium-doped strontium aluminate (SrAl₂O₄:Eu³⁺) phosphors was synthesized by the high-temperature, solid-state reaction method. The crystal structures of sintered phosphors were in a monoclinic phase with space group P2₁. The trap parameters which are mainly activation energy (E), frequency factor (s) and order of the kinetics (b) were evaluated by using the peak shape method. The calculated trap depths are in the range from 0.76 to 0.84?eV. Photoluminescence measurements showed that the phosphor exhibited emission peak with good intensity at 595?nm, corresponding to ⁵D₀–⁷F₁ (514?nm) orange emission and weak ⁵D₀–⁷F₂ (614?nm) red emission. The excitation spectra monitored at 595?nm show a broad band from 220 to 320?nm ascribed to O–Eu charge-transfer state transition and the other peaks in the range of 350–500?nm originated from f–f transitions of Eu³⁺ ions. The strongest band at 394?nm can be assigned to ⁷F₀–⁵L₆ transition of Eu³⁺ ions due to the typical f–f transitions within Eu³⁺ of 4f⁶ configuration. The latter lies in near ultraviolet (350–500?nm) emission of UV LED. CIE color chromaticity diagram and thermoluminescence spectra confirm that the synthesized phosphors would emit an orange-red color. Incorporating R⁺?=?Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ as the compensator charge, the emission intensity of SrAl₂O₄:Eu³⁺ phosphor can be obviously enhanced and the emission intensity of SrAl₂O₄:Eu³⁺ doping Li⁺ is higher than that of Na⁺ or K⁺ ions.