Analysis of Upconversion Fluorescence Dynamics in NaYF4 Codoped with Er3+ and Yb3+

The efficiency of upconversion fluorescence for Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ codoped into NaYF₄ powder crystals is investigated. The dependence of Er³⁺ green (540 nm) and red (660 nm) upconversion fluorescence intensities on laser excitation intensity and the ratio of the green and red fluorescence intensities respectively under 355‐nm and 936‐nm excitations have been measured and analyzed in terms of radiative and nonradiative relaxation mechanisms. It is shown that the intensity of both the green and red upconversion fluorescence bands is affected at high pumping intensities by a low‐lying state acting as a bottleneck, with the red fluorescence less affected than the green. In addition to two‐photon, two‐step excitation and energy transfer processes, nonlinear optical coupling mechanisms of avalanche processes appear responsible for reducing the bottleneck saturation of the red upconversion fluorescence.     

Synthesis and up-conversion luminescence properties of Ho3+, Yb3+ co-doped BaLa2ZnO5

Up-conversion phosphors BaLa₂ZnO₅ co-doped with Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ were synthesized by high temperature solid-state reaction method. The phase composition of the phosphors was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The structure of BaLa₂ZnO₅: 0.75% Ho/15% Yb phosphor was refined by the Rietveld method and results showed the decreased unit cell parameters and cell volume after doping Ho³⁺ and Yb³⁺, indicating Ho³⁺ and Yb³⁺ have successfully replaced La³⁺. Under the excitation of 980 nm diode laser, the strong green and weak red up-conversion emissions centered at 548 nm, 664 nm and 758 nm were observed, which originating from ⁵S₂, ⁵F₂→⁵I₈, ⁵F₄→⁵I₈ and ⁵S₂, ⁵F₂→⁵I₇ transitions of Ho³⁺ ions, respectively. The optimum doping concentrations of Ho³⁺ and Yb³⁺ were determined to be 0.75% and 15%, and the corresponding Commission International de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates are calculated to be x=0.298 and y=0.692. The related UC mechanism of Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped BaLa₂ZnO₅ depending on pump power was studied in detail. The results indicate that BaLa₂ZnO₅: Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ can be an effective candidate for up-conversion yellowish-green light emitter.     

基于NaYF_4:Yb~(3+),Er~(3+)上转换发光材料的色彩设计

采用共沉淀法制备β-NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+。X射线衍射图谱结果表明退火有利于β相生长。样品在970nm处有一强烈吸收峰,利用980nm激光激发样品,实现红、绿、蓝三色上转换发光;其中蓝光相对较弱,红、绿光的发射峰分别为521,539,659nm。速率方程表明红、绿发射对应跃迁均是双光子过程,实验结果与理论分析相符。此外,对红、绿发射带面积比的研究表明激发功率和Yb3+掺杂量影响发光颜色;进而可实现简便的色彩设计。     

Synthesis of biocompatible uniform NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ nanocrystals and their characteristic photoluminescence

For biological application, lanthanide ion doped upconverting nanocrystals should be modified to be biocompatible. Here, we show a viable and efficient procedure for producing biocompatible NaYF₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ upconverting nanocrystals. The uniform NaYF₄:Yb,Er upconverting nanocrystals were firstly synthesized by a mild chemical procedure, which were subsequently coated with a layer of polyethylene-glycol (PEG) to be biocompatible. The photoluminescent intensity of the PEG coated NaYF₄:Yb,Er nanocrystals varies nonlinearly with increasing the thickness of the PEG coating. In particular, it was noted that the Intensity Ratio of Red to Green Emission (IRRGE) of PEG coated NaYF₄:Yb,Er was highly depended on the excitation power density: IRRGE keeping almost constant with increasing the excitation power density below 826 W/cm², but remarkably increasing when increasing the excitation power density above 826 W/cm². For this unique phenomenon, the excitation and emission mechanisms related to PEG coating were discussed.     

氨基磷酸辅助的水热合成NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+纳米晶及其上转换发光

以氨基磷酸为螯合剂,通过共沉淀与水热法相结合,成功地制备出NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+纳米晶.研究结果表明:水热前后NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+纳米晶均为立方相结构,其颗粒大小约为80nm.在980 nm近红外光激发下,实现了样品的上转换发光.样品的上转换绿红光发射带归因于Er3+的2H11/2,4S3/2→4 I15/2和4F9/2 →4I15/2能级的跃迁.水热处理后的样品的上转换发光强度与水热处理前相比有了很大的增强.水热处理后,样品表面的有机配体的减少和样品结晶度的提高是样品上转换发光显著增强的主要原因.     

Enhancement of up-conversion luminescence in Zn2SiO4:Yb3+, Er3+ by co-doping with Li+ or Bi3+

Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ co-doped Zn₂SiO₄ ceramics are rapidly synthesized by the microwave radiation method. Green and red up-conversion emissions are observed in Zn₂SiO₄: Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ ceramics under 980 nm excitation. The influence of co-doped Li⁺ or Bi³⁺ ion on luminescence intensity for the phosphors has been investigated. At Li⁺ or Bi³⁺ doping concentration of 1 mol%, up-converted green emission can be increased by 6 times and 20 times, respectively. It is believed that co-doped Li⁺ or Bi³⁺ ion results in the local distortion of Er³⁺ in Zn₂SiO₄, increasing the intra-4f transitions of Er³⁺ ions. The local distortion is proved by spectral probing method with Eu³⁺.     

共沉淀法制备NaYF4 : Tm3+,Yb3+的上转换发光

通过共沉淀法制备Tm³⁺和Yb³⁺掺杂的NaYF₄上转换发光材料。其中Tm³⁺和Yb³⁺的摩尔分数分别为0.01%,0.1%。在室温下测试了NaYF₄ : Tm³⁺,Yb³⁺材料在300~1 100 nm的吸收光谱。利用X射线衍射(XRD),扫描电镜(SEM)测试了合成材料的物相结构和微观形貌。结果表明:NaYF₄ : Tm³⁺,Yb³⁺材料为六方相晶体,其颗粒大小约为50~60 nm,产物结晶良好,含有少量杂相。在798 nm近红外光激发下,测试了样品的上转换发光光谱。观察到了蓝、绿色上转换发光。讨论了上转换发光的可能机理,蓝光主要来源于Tm³⁺的激发态¹G₄到基态³H₆的跃迁,绿光来源于Tm³⁺的¹D₂→³H₅跃迁。     

Gd3+掺杂对NaYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+/Er3+ 纳米材料上转换荧光性能的影响

利用温和的溶剂热方法合成了具有上转换发光性能的Yb³⁺-Tm³⁺和Yb³⁺-Er³⁺共掺的纳米NaYGdF₄。在该体系中,通过调节Gd³⁺在基质中的掺杂量可以有效地控制产物的相变、尺寸以及上转换荧光性能。XRD和TEM分析结果表明,Gd³⁺的掺入在促进NaYF₄纳米颗粒由立方相到六方相转变的同时有助于减小其尺寸。上转换光谱研究表明,在Yb³⁺-Tm³⁺和Yb³⁺-Er³⁺共掺体系中,可通过优化Gd³⁺的掺杂量来有效提高产物的上转换荧光强度。同时,通过研究Tm³⁺和Er³⁺在不同可见光波段的发光强度与泵浦功率的关系探讨了上转换发光的机制。     

Towards efficient upconversion and downconversion of NaYF4:Ho3+,Yb3+ phosphors

NaYF₄ microcrystals co-doped with Ho³⁺ and Yb³⁺ were prepared by a facile hydrothermal synthesis. The products were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Upon excitation with a 980 nm laser diode, the sample shows an intense green upconversion emission centered at 540 nm corresponding to the ⁵S₂→⁵I₈ transition of Ho³⁺. The quadratic dependence of the green emission intensity on the excitation power reveals a two-phonon upconversion process. On the contrary, upon excitation with 448 nm, both visible and near-infrared emissions peaked at 483, 540, 644, 749, and 978 nm are simultaneously observed, which could be assigned to the electronic transitions of Ho³⁺: ⁵F₃→⁵I₈, ⁵S₂→⁵I₈, ⁵F₅→⁵I₈, ⁵S₂→⁵I₇, and Yb³⁺: ²F_5/2→²F_7/2, respectively. The energy transfer processes between Ho³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions and the involved mechanisms have been investigated and discussed.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and the enhanced blue upconversion luminescence of NaYF4:Nd3+,Tm3+,Yb3+

Nd³⁺, Tm³⁺ and Yb³⁺ co-doped NaYF₄ upconversion (UC) material was synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The structure of the sample was characterized by the X-ray diffraction, and its UC luminescence properties were investigated in detail. Under the 980 nm semiconductor laser excitation, its UC spectra exhibited distinct emission peaks at 451 nm, 475 nm and 646 nm respectively. On the basis of the comparison of UC spectra between NaYF₄:Nd³⁺,Tm³⁺,Yb³⁺ and NaYF₄:Tm³⁺,Yb³⁺, it was indicated that the existence of Nd³⁺ ion enhanced the blue emission intensity. The law of luminescence intensity versus pump power proved that the blue emission at 475 nm, and the red emission at 646 nm were the two-photon processes, while the blue emission at 451 nm was a three-photon process.     

KLa(MoO_4)_2∶Yb~(3+),Ho~(3+),Tm~(3+)白光荧光粉的制备及性能研究

采用水热法成功制备了Yb~(3+),Ho~(3+),Tm~(3+)三掺的多晶KLa(Mo O4)2荧光粉。在980 nm激光激发下,KLa(MoO_4)_2∶Yb~(3+),Ho~(3+),Tm~(3+)发出裸眼可见的明亮白光,这其中包括Tm~(3+)离子发出的蓝光(~475 nm)、Ho~(3+)离子发出的绿光(~540 nm)和红光(~651 nm)。根据色度坐标系计算得出的坐标点可以看出,随着Ho~(3+)/Tm~(3+)掺杂浓度之比的增加,KLa(Mo O_4)_2∶Yb~(3+),Ho~(3+),Tm~(3+)所发出的白光呈现从冷白光到暖白光的变化。最后详细讨论了KLa(Mo O_4)_2∶Yb~(3+),Ho~(3+),Tm~(3+)荧光粉可能的发光机制。     

A novel scheme to acquire enhanced up-conversion emissions of Ho3+ and Yb3+ co-doped Sc2O3

A detailed investigation about the effect of Sc₂O₃: 1 mol%Ho³⁺/5 mol%Yb³⁺ co-doped with Ce⁴⁺ ions prepared by sol-gel methods was performed systematically. Under the excitation of 980 nm laser diode, both green emission (553 nm, ⁵F₄/⁵S₂→⁵I₈) and red emission (672 nm, ⁵F₅→⁵I₈) were both observed in the emission spectra of the samples, which were found to be two-photon process and sensitized by Yb³⁺ ions. With the increasing of Ce⁴⁺ ions, the up-conversion green emission intensity are increased by 6.52, 8.69, 10.85, 13.92 and 16.66 fold, corresponding to the Ce⁴⁺ ions concentrations from 5 mol% to 13 mol%, respectively. The number of photons are necessary to populate the upper emitting state decreases to 2 and the infrared absorption coefficient is reduced, when the Ce⁴⁺ ions concentration increase to 13 mol%. Ce⁴⁺ ions play an important role in tailoring the local crystal field around Ho³⁺ ions, lowering the highest phonon cut-off energy of matrix and reducing the infrared absorption coefficient, thus hindering the non-radiative processes, which contribute to the increased emission intensity. The excellent enhancement makes it a promising multifunctional optical luminescence material.     

YLiF4: Er3+, Tm3+, Yb3+中Tm3+浓度对上转换发光的影响

利用水热法合成了YLiF4: Er3 , Tm3 , Yb3 , 其中Er3 和Yb3 的浓度保持固定不变, 分别为1 mol%和1.5 mol%, Tm3 浓度变化范围是2 mol%～8 mol%. 在这种共掺杂体系中, 同时观察到了Er3 , Tm3 和Yb3 的吸收, 且Tm3 的吸收随着其浓度的增强而增强. 在980 nm光的激发下, 当Tm3 浓度很小时, 这种材料的上转换发光为白光. 其中蓝光主要来源于Tm3 的激发态1G4到基态3H6的跃迁, 绿光来源于Er3 的4S3/2和2H11/2到基态4I15/2的跃迁, 红光既来源于Tm3 的1G4→3F4的跃迁, 也来源于Er3 的4F9/2→4I15/2的跃迁. 并且这种上转换发光强度随着Tm3 浓度的增强而降低, 但对应不同能级跃迁的发光强度降低的幅度不同, 这是因为Er3 和Tm3 之间的相互作用.     

Yb3＋／Er3＋共掺NaYF4的晶体结构和上转换发光性能的研究

以乙二胺四乙酸（EDTA）为螯合剂,用一种改进的共沉淀法制备了 Yb3＋/Er3＋共掺的立方相NaYF4和Yb3＋/Er3＋/Gd3＋三掺的六角相NaYF4纳米晶。用透射电子显微镜、X射线衍射、荧光光谱等测量手段对样品的形貌、晶相和发光性能进行了表征。结果表明,通过掺杂Gd3＋,实现了NaYF4基质从立方相到六角相的相变。虽然据报道六角相的NaYF4比立方相的NaYF4上转换效率高,但是相变对上转换荧光光谱的影响还不清楚。本文着重研究了相变对晶格场能级分裂、发光强度和发光颜色的调控作用,提出了荧光增强和发光颜色可调的机理。用10 mW ,980 nm二极管激光激发,在立方相和六角相样品中均观察到肉眼可见的上转换荧光发射,分别是525/550 nm附近2 H11/2/4 S3/2→4 I15/2跃迁引起的绿光发射和657 nm附近4 F9/2→4 I15/2跃迁引起的红光发射。与立方相样品相比,六角相样品荧光发射谱线变窄,荧光强度增强了一个量级,出现了2 H9/2→4 I13/2跃迁引起的新发射峰,红绿比由2∶1增大到3∶1,这是因为六角相基质的晶格场对称性降低,于是增强了上转换荧光强度,同时六角相的晶胞体积变小,提高了掺杂离子周围的晶格场强度,导致发射谱线变锐,表明相变可以调节晶格场能级分裂,发光强度和发光颜色。     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Gd6MoO12:Yb3+, Er3+ phosphor with enhanced photoluminescence by Li+ doping

Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ co-doped Gd₆MoO₁₂ and Yb³⁺/Er³⁺/Li⁺ tri-doped Gd₆MoO₁₂ phosphors were prepared by adjusting the annealing temperature via the high temperature solid-state method. Under the excitation of 980 nm semiconductor, the upconversion luminescence properties were investigated and discussed. In the experimental process, we get the optimum Yb³⁺ concentration and the concentration quench effect will happen while the concentration extends the given region. According to the Yb³⁺ concentration quenching effects, the critical distance between Yb³⁺ ions had been calculated. The measured UC luminescence exhibited a strong red emission near 660 nm and green emission at 530 nm and 550 nm, which are due to the transitions of Er³⁺(⁴F_9/2, ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2) → Er³⁺(⁴I_15/2). Then the effect of excitation power density in different regions on the upconversion mechanisms was investigated and the calculated results demonstrate that the green and red upconversion is a two-photon process. A possible mechanism was discussed. After Li⁺ ions mixing, the upconversion emission enhanced largely, and the optimum Li⁺ concentration was obtained while fixed the Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ on the above optimum concentration. This enhancement owns to the decrease of the local symmetry around Er³⁺ after Li⁺ ions doping into the system. This result indicates that Li⁺ is a promising candidate for improving luminescence in some case.     

Sc~(3+)共掺杂对单个NaGdF_4∶Yb~(3+),Er~(3+)微晶的上转换荧光调控

在高温、长时的水热氛围中,通过Sc~(3+)的共掺杂,制得了一类特殊的稀土掺杂氟化物微晶。采用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、能量色散X射线探测器(EDX)和元素分布像(element mapping)对其晶相和形貌进行表征。结果表明,无Sc~(3+)共掺时,样品为六方相NaGdF_4基六角微米盘;有Sc~(3+)共掺时,六方相NaGdF_4基微晶与单斜相Na3ScF6基微晶共存于样品之中,并且随着Sc~(3+)掺杂浓度的升高,NaGdF_4基微晶发生了显著的形貌演变。值得一提的是,实际进入基质晶格的Sc~(3+)浓度远小于前驱物中Sc~(3+)的浓度。采用激光共聚焦显微技术测试了980nm激光激发下的单颗粒上转换光谱。结果表明,晶格内少量Sc~(3+)的有效介入,可诱导单个NaGdF_4∶Yb~(3+),Er~(3+)微晶内绿色荧光(~2H_(11/2)/~4 S_(3/2)→4 I15/2)对红色荧光(4 F9/2→4 I15/2)相对强度的显著调控,且随着Sc~(3+)掺杂浓度的增加逐渐升高。结合建议的上转换机制,对红色和绿色上转换荧光衰减曲线和对应发射带的积分强度对激发功率的依赖关系展开了详细分析。上转换荧光衰减曲线的上升时间随着Sc~(3+)掺杂浓度的升高逐渐缩短,红绿发射带积分强度对激发功率的依赖也随着Sc~(3+)掺杂浓度的升高变得更为明显,暗示了半径最小的稀土离子Sc~(3+)进入基质晶格后,从Yb~(3+)到Er~(3+)能量转移速率显著提升,使得绿光的~2H_(11/2)/~4 S_(3/2)激发态较红光的4 F9/2激发态更容易布居,从而产生可观的上转换荧光调控。此类微晶有望在荧光防伪、光学波导等领域获得重要应用。     

共沉淀法制备Y2SiO5∶Er3+ ,Yb3+ ,Tm3+及其上转换发光性能研究

采用化学共沉淀法制备了系列Y_1.98-2xYb_2x Er_0.02SiO₅(0.00≤x≤0.15)以及Y_1.736Yb_0.24Er_0.02Tm_0.004SiO₅上转换发光材料,比较了室温下Y_1.98-2xYb_2x Er_0.02 SiO₅ (x=0.00,0.08)样品在400—1600 nm范围内的吸收光谱,测量了所有样品在976 nm OPO激光器激发下的上转换发射光谱,以及Er³⁺离子⁴S_3/2(⁴F_9/2)→⁴I_15/2,Tm³⁺离子¹G₄→³H₆荧光衰减曲线和不同激发功率下的上转换蓝光发射强度,从而分析讨论了Er³⁺,Tm³⁺在Y₂SiO₅中的上转换发光机理.研究结果表明:在1250 ℃相对较低的温度下合成了X2型单斜晶系Y₂SiO₅ ∶Ln³⁺(Ln³⁺=Er³⁺,Yb³⁺,Tm³⁺),Yb³⁺的敏化显著增强了样品在976 nm附近的吸收能力,并大幅度加宽了该处的吸收带.分析上转换发射光谱发现:上转换绿光和红光强度都随着Yb³⁺浓度的增加先增强后减弱,但红光的猝灭浓度较高,归因于Er³⁺→Yb³⁺反向能量传递ETU4和Yb³⁺→Er³⁺正向能量传递ETU3过程的发生;上转换蓝光发射是三光子吸收过程,是通过Yb³⁺,Tm³⁺之间三次声子辅助的能量转移方式实现的. 关键词： 上转换 共沉淀 2SiO₅∶Er³⁺')" href="#">Y₂SiO₅∶Er³⁺ 3+')" href="#">Yb³⁺ 3+')" href="#">Tm³⁺     

NaYF4:Eu3+,Tm3+,Yb3+材料中Stokes和反Stokes发光研究

合成了Eu3+,Tm3+和Yb3+掺杂的NaYF4材料.360 nm光激发呈蓝色发光,峰值位于452 nm,对应Tm3+的1D2→3F4跃迁;395 nm光激发旱橙色发光,峰值位于591 nm,对应Eu3+的5D0→7F1跃迁;409 nml光激发呈红色发光,峰值位于613 nm,对应Eu3+的5D0→7F2跃迁;980 nm光激发呈蓝色和红色发光,发光峰位于474和646 nm.蓝光来源Tm3+的1G4→3H6跃迁,红光来源Tm3+的1G4→3F4跃迁.在双对数曲线中,蓝光474 nm和红光646 nm的斜率分别为2.1和2.4,在980 nm光激发下,蓝光和红光发射都是双光子过程.还研究了材料的吸收光谱,并利用X射线衍射,扫描电镜测试了材料的物相结构和微观彤貌.结果表明:NaYF4:Eu3+,Tm3+,Yb3+材料具有较规则的六方相结构,结品良好.     

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.     

Silane-based wet and plasma coating on SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphor for surface modification

To date, organizations in many countries have tried persistent phosphors to apply in the field of safety facilities such as road striping and signs to improve visibility. However, the road facilities were usually exposed to harsh conditions such as pouring and wearing. Therefore, the surface coating and modifications of the phosphor are researched to improve the stability and adhesivity for binder material. Herein, we report the comparison of wet and plasma coating method for surface modification. Three kinds of silane functional materials for coating agent with different characteristic was chosen. From the results, we could confirm that the uniformity of the coating is better in the case of the plasma process. And the plasma-coated phosphor with the coating agent which has long carbon chain maintains the luminescence intensity over 50% after soaking in water for 48h, despite the pristine phosphor almost loses the luminescence characteristics occurring the phase transition.