Spectroscopic properties of Pr3+ ions in a PbWO4 single crystal

Site-selective fluorescence laser spectroscopy of Pr (3+) ions in lead tungstate single crystal were investigated at temperatures from 10 to 300 K. The site-selective emission spectra and fluorescence decays from the (3)P J ( J = 0, 1, 2) and (1)D 2 states were analyzed. The (3)P J ( J = 0, 1, 2) level shows its predominantly radioactive character with the typical greenish-blue luminescence ascribed to (3)P J transition. The emission from the (1)D 2 level is only observed when this level is directly excited. The decay kinetic of the (1)D 2 level was measured under site-selective excitation and discussed in terms of cross-relaxation. The up-conversion emission from levels (3)P 1 and (3)P 0 following excitation of the (1)D 2 state was observed in the PbWO 4 crystal between 10 and 300 K. The main up-conversion mechanism, together with the understanding the quenching of the (1)D 2 fluorescence in this Pr (3+) heavily doped PbWO 4 were discussed. The presence of the complex structures of the emission spectra and different decay profiles indicate that several processes contribute to the quenching of the (1)D 2 fluorescence of Pr (3+) ions. It was found that the up-conversion fluorescence intensity had a quadratic dependence on the laser input power. The temporal behavior of the up converted emission indicates that an energy-transfer up-conversion is the dominant process.     

Optical properties and upconversion in Pr3+ doped in aluminum, barium, calcium fluoride glass--I

The absorption and the fluorescence spectra of Pr3+ ion doped in aluminum, barium, calcium fluoride (ABCF) glass have been studied. Judd-Ofelt theory has been used to derive the optical parameters, viz. the oscillator strength, transition probability, branching ratio, stimulated emission cross section, etc. A broadband upconversion has been observed at different wavelengths throughout the visible region when pumped with 810 nm radiation from a Ti-sapphire laser.     

YF3:Ln3+ (Ln = Ce, Tb, Pr) submicrospindles: hydrothermal synthesis and luminescence properties

YF(3):Ln(3+) (Ln = Ce, Tb, Pr) microspindles were successfully fabricated by a facile hydrothermal method. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), lifetimes, photoluminescence (PL) and low-voltage cathodoluminescence (CL) were used to characterize the resulting samples. The lengths and diameters of YF(3):0.02Ce(3+) microspindles are around 760 nm and 230 nm, respectively. Adding dilute acid and trisodium citrate (Cit(3-)) are essential for obtaining YF(3) microspindles. A potential formation mechanism for YF(3) microspindles has been presented. PL spectroscopy investigations show that YF(3):Ce(3+) and YF(3):Tb(3+) microcrystals exhibit the characteristic emission of Ce(3+) 5d → 4f and Tb(3+ 5)D(4)→(7)F(J) (J = 6-3) transitions, respectively. In addition, the energy transfer from Ce(3+) to Tb(3+) was investigated in detail for YF(3):Ce(3+), Tb(3+) microspindles. Under the excitation of electron beams, YF(3):Pr(3+) show quantum cutting emission and YF(3):Ce(3+), Tb(3+) phosphors exhibit more intense green emission than the commercial phosphor ZnO:Zn.     

Comparative Structural,Optical, and Photoluminescence Studies of YF3:Pr,YF3:Pr@LaF3, and YF3:Pr@LaF3@SiO2 Core–Shell Nanocrystals

Praseodymium (Pr³⁺)‐doped YF₃ (core) and LaF₃ ‐covered YF₃ :Pr (core–shell) nanocrystals (NCs ) were prepared successfully by an ecofriendly, polyol‐based, co‐precipitation process, which were then coated with a silica shell by using a sol–gel‐based Stober method. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM ), thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) , UV /vis, energy bandgap, and photoluminescence studies were used to analyze the crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties of the nanomaterial. XRD and TEM results show that the grain size increases after sequential growth of crystalline LaF₃ and the silica shell. The silica surface modification enhances the solubility and colloidal stability of the core–shell‐SiO₂ NCs . The results indicate that the surface coating affects the optical properties because of the alteration in crystalline size of the materials. The emission intensity of silica‐modified NCs was significantly enhanced compared to that of core and core–shell NCs . These results are attributed to the formation of chemical bonds between core–shell and noncrystalline SiO₂ shell via La–O–Si bridges, which activate the “dormant” Pr³⁺ ions on the surfaces of the nanoparticles. The luminescence efficiency of the as‐prepared core, core–shell, and core–shell‐SiO₂ NCs are comparatively analyzed, and the observed differences are justified on the basis of the surface modification surrounding the luminescent seed core NCs .     

Spectroscopic properties of Pr(3+) doped in tellurite glass

The absorption and fluorescence spectra of Pr(3+) doped in tellurite glass has been recorded and analyzed in terms of Judd-Ofelt theory. The lifetime of (3)P(0) and (3)P(1) levels has been measured. Fluorescence quenching has been observed for higher concentrations of Pr(3+) ion. The temperature dependence of the fluorescence intensity and the lifetime of the (3)P(0) level has been investigated and found that they decrease with the increase of the temperature.     

Electronic structure,morphology-controlled synthesis,and luminescence properties of YF3: Eu3+

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - Studying electronic structure plays a key role in improving the photoluminescence (PL) properties of materials. Therefore, the electronic structure of...     

Enhanced frequency upconversion of Sm3+ ions by elliptical Au nanoparticles in dichroic Sm3+: Au-antimony glass nanocomposites

Dichroic Sm³⁺: Au-antimony glass nanocomposites are synthesized in a new reducing glass (dielectric) matrix (mol%) K₂O–B₂O₃–Sb₂O₃ (KBS) by a single-step melt-quench technique involving selective thermochemical reduction. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) results indicate that Au⁰ nanoparticles are grown along the (2 0 0) plane direction. The transmission electron microscopic (TEM) image reveals the elliptical Au⁰ nanoparticles having major axis range 12–17 nm. Dichroic behavior is due to elliptical shape of Au⁰ nanoparticles of aspect ratio ～1.2. Au⁰ NPs of concentration of 0.03 wt% (4.1 × 10¹⁸ atoms/cm³) drastically enhances the intensity (～7-folds) of electric dipole ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_9/2 red transition (636 nm) of Sm³⁺ ions and then attenuates with further increase in Au⁰ concentration. The magnetic dipole ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_5/2 green (566 nm) and ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_7/2 orange (602 nm) transitions remain almost unaffected by presence of nano Au⁰. Local field enhancement (LFE) induced by Au⁰ SPR and energy transfer (ET) from fluorescent Au⁰ → Sm³⁺ ions are found to be responsible for the enhancement while reverse ET from Sm³⁺ → Au⁰ and optical re-absorption due to Au⁰ SPR for attenuation.     

Synthesis and surface modification of ultrasmall monodisperse NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+ upconversion nanoparticles

The emerging upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) have gained substantial consideration in the field of bioanalytical as well as diagnostic applications. Therefore, great progress has been made in the synthesis and surface modification of luminescent UCNPs over the last two decades. In this paper, we have reported monodispersed and high luminescent upconversion nanoparticles NaYF₄: 20%Yb³⁺, 2%Tm³⁺ have been synthesized using a solvothermal method, followed by a coating of the NaYF₄ shell with a thin layer of SiO₂ on the surface to afford the core-shell NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺@SiO₂ nanoparticles (NP@SiO₂). The prepared nanoparticles were of strong upconversion fluorescent emission intensity, hexagonal phase, and with an average size of about 8 ± 1 nm, which have been characterized by luminescence spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results indicate that the NP@SiO₂ can be used for the conjugation of fluorescent probes for various biomolecules and can find applications in cancer cell imaging and disease diagnosis.     

Frequency upconversion in Pr3+-Li2O-TeO2 binary glass by decay curve analysis

Using the decay curve analysis frequency upconversion under continuous wave NIR laser radiation ( approximately 890 nm) following the non-resonant excitation at higher energies than 1G4 level has been reported. The decay curve of the antistokes emission (3P0-->3H4) shows similar behavior as that of the stokes emission (3P0-->3H4) and does not show any rise time attributing to the excited state antistokes absorption assisted by phonon emission. The covalency, bonding parameters and nephalauxetic effect for the present system has also been determined.     

Pr3＋掺杂的LaF3纳米微晶/氟氧化物玻璃陶瓷的VUV光谱

The vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectroscopic properties of praseodymium (Pr^3＋, 1at%) doped LaF₃ nanocrystals/glass at room temperature and 20 K are reported. Two types of Pr^3＋ ions, those in LaF₃ nanocrystals and those in the glass host, were excited to 4f 5d band by VUV using synchrotron radiation as an excitation source, and emissions of ¹S₀ → ¹D₂ (336 nm), ¹S₀ → ¹I₆ (397 nm ) of Pr^3＋ in the nanocrystals and emissions of 4f 5d → ³H_J, ³F_J of Pr^3＋ in the glass appeared at the same time. But unlike in the bulk sample crystals, emission of ³P₀ → ³H_J, ³F_J as the second step of the quantum splitting (QS) of Pr^3＋ in the LaF₃ nanocrystals was not observed at room temperature, which could be explained that Pr^3＋ ions in the glass absorbed the energy of ³P₀→ ³H₄ of Pr^3＋ in the nanocrystals. Two types of excitation spectra monitoring different emissions were also measured, so it could be observed that the lowest energy of 4f 5d band of Pr^3＋ in the nanocrystals was about 53 500 cm^-1 (186 nm) and in the glass about 33 800 cm^-1(295 nm), respectively. These emission and excitation spectra were contrasted to those of bulk sample crystals LaF₃∶Pr^3＋.     

Enhanced upconversion emission in Er3+-doped tellurite glass containing silver nanoparticles

Er³⁺-doped tellurite glass containing silver nanoparticles (NPs) has been synthesized. Detailed structural and optical characterizations have been carried out. Infrared to visible frequency upconversion (UC) emission has been observed in Er³⁺-doped tellurite glass on pumping with the 976 nm radiation. Further, an enhancement in UC emission intensity of green bands (²H_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2) of Er³⁺ ion has been observed up to four times in presence of silver NPs in the glass annealed at 240 °C for 40 h. Though, there is enhancement in intensity in the red band (⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2) also but it is smaller. The enhancement in fluorescence intensity is attributed to local field effect due to the silver NPs.     

Monodisperse mesocrystals of YF3 and Ce3+/Ln3+ (Ln=Tb, Eu) co-activated YF3: shape control synthesis, luminescent properties, and biocompatibility

A family of monodisperse YF(3), YF(3):Ce(3+) and YF(3):Ce(3+)/Ln(3+) (Ln=Tb, Eu) mesocrystals with a morphology of a hollow spindle can be synthesized by a solvothermal process using yttrium nitrate and NH(4) F as precursors. The effects of reaction time, fluorine source, solvents, and reaction temperature on the synthesis of these mesocrystals have been studied in detail. The results demonstrate that the formation of a hollow spindle-like YF(3) can be ascribed to a nonclassical crystallization process by means of a particle-based reaction route in ethanol. It has been shown that the fluorine sources selected have a remarkable effect on the morphologies and crystalline phases of the final products. Moreover, the luminescent properties of Ln(3+)-doped and Ce(3+)/Ln(3+) -co-doped spindle-like YF(3) mesocrystals were also investigated. It turns out that Ce(3+) is an efficient sensitizer for Ln(3+) in the spindle-like YF(3) mesocrystals. Remarkable fluorescence enhancement was observed in Ce(3+)/Ln(3+) -co-doped YF(3) mesocrystals. The mechanism of the energy transfer and electronic transition between Ce(3+) and Ln(3+) in the host material of YF(3) mesocrystals was also explored. The cytotoxicity study revealed that these YF(3) -based nanocrystals are biocompatible for applications, such as cellular imaging.     

Synthesis and optical properties of Gd2O3:Pr3+ phosphor particles

Spherical-shaped Gd₂O₃:Pr³⁺ phosphor particles were prepared with different concentrations of Pr³⁺ using the urea homogeneous precipitation method. The resulting Gd₂O₃:Pr³⁺ phosphor particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The effects of the Pr³⁺ doping concentration on the luminescent properties of Gd₂O₃:Pr³⁺ phosphors were investigated. Photoluminescence measurements revealed the Gd₂O₃:1?% Pr³⁺ phosphor particles to have the strongest emission. The luminescence properties of Gd₂O₃:Pr³⁺ particles are strongly affected by the phosphor crystallinity and X-ray diffraction measurements confirmed that the crystallinity of Gd₂O₃ cubic structure could be enhanced by increasing the firing temperature. The luminescent Gd₂O₃:Pr³⁺ phosphor particles have potential applications in areas, such as optical display systems, lamps and etc.     

One-pot synthesis of YF3@silica core/shell nanoparticles

A new one-pot synthetic method for preparing core/shell YF3@SiO2 nanoparticles with different morphologies, from spherical to elongated structures ("pearl necklace"), is described; absorbance and photoluminescence spectroscopy reveals intrinsic but no extrinsic defects in the YF3.     

YF3:Tb,LaF3:Ce/Tb,and GdF3:Tb nanoparticles: A comparison of the crystallographic and photoluminescent properties

YF₃:Tb, LaF₃:Ce/Tb, and GdF₃:Tb nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by the thermal co-precipitation technique at a lower temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), FT-Raman, UV/visible, and photoluminescence techniques were utilized to determine the phase purity, crystal phase, thermal stability, exterior behavior, optical properties, colloidal stability, and luminescent properties. The XRD results showed the different crystal phases in each nanoproduct. The TGA studies exhibited slight degradation at a lower temperature, which suggests surface water adsorption and organic moieties. The FTIR spectra revealed the existence of the IR bands related to hydroxyl and (C O) groups, suggesting the presence of organic moieties. The absorption spectra and optical bandgap energies were measured in aqueous media for the determination of the colloidal dispersibility in an aqueous solution. The excitation and emission spectra were analyzed, and all observed excitation and emission transitions were labeled. The emission spectra of the LnF₃:Tb NPs exhibited distinctive features of the most dominant emission transition located at 543 (⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅) under the excitation at 368 nm. Among the presented LnF₃ host matrices, YF₃:Tb NPs demonstrated high crystallinity along with superior photoluminescence properties. These findings are highly useful in the conjugation of biomolecules for sensitive detection of biomolecules and optical bioimaging.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and fluorescence of YF3: Eu3+

<正>Europium(Ⅲ)-doped YF_3 is prepared by a hydrothermal process at 200℃.X-ray diffraction(XRD) pattern identifies the formation of YF_3 phase without detectable impurity.Environment scanning electron microscopy(ESEM) image shows the even size distribution of the samples with cubic morphology.The excitation and emission spectra of the rare earth ions doped YF_3 are investigated by fluorescence spectrophotometer.The excitation spectrum for 591 nm emission has several excitation bands at 320, 365,386,397 and 467 nm,and the main peak value was 397 nm.Typical Eu~(3+) emission peaks at 591 nm(~5D_0→~7F_1) and 612 nm (~5D_0→~7F_2) are observed when excited by 397 nm,and the strongest emission is 591 nm,demonstrating that the rare earth ions occupy the centrosymmetrical sites in YF_3.     

Spectroscopic properties of Er3+, Yb3 + and Er3 + /Yb3+ doped metaphosphate glasses

The absorption and emission spectroscopies of Er3+ doped and Er3+/Yb3+ codoped Ca(PO3)2, Sr(PO3)2 and Ba(PO3)2 glasses have been studied. From the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, the spontaneous emission probabilities of some relevant transitions and the radiative lifetimes of several excited states of Er3+ have been calculated. The decay curves of the Er3+ emission at 1.5 microm have been measured at different temperatures. The data have been fitted using a stretched exponential function and the obtained experimental lifetimes have been compared with the calculated radiative lifetimes. The difference between the experimental and calculated lifetimes is attributed to the presence of traces of OH groups in the host glasses. The absolute OH content in some glasses has been determined from the infrared spectra. The emission spectra at 1.5 microm of the Er3+ ion in the codoped glasses have been measured at different temperatures. The integrated emission intensities decrease significantly on passing from room temperature to 13 K, suggesting a temperature dependence of the rate of the energy transfer process between Yb3+ and Er3+.     

Spectroscopic and fluorescence properties of silver-dye composite nanoparticles

The aim of this work was to investigate the formation of J-aggregates of thiacyanine dye (TC, 5,5′-disulfopropyl-3,3′-dichlorothiacyanine sodium salt) in the presence of 6 nm spherical silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using spectrophotometric and fluorescence methods. The formation of J-aggregates was concentration dependent and characterized by the appearance of the new absorption band with the maximum at 481 nm. Spectrophotometric study of J-aggregate formation and time stability suggested that they were formed on the account of monomer form of TC. Moreover, the stability of J-aggregates increased with the lowering AgNPs concentration. The measurements of fluorescence of the NPs—dye assembly clearly indicated that the fluorescence of TC was quenched by Ag NPs on the concentration dependent manner. The spectrophotometric and fluorescence properties of NPs—dye assembly were found to be quantitatively related to the surface coverage of the dye on the Ag NPs.     

Spectroscopic properties of Ho3+ ions doped in tellurite glass

Spectroscopic properties of Ho3+ doped tellurite glass (1 mol.% of Ho3+) have been studied. The absorption and fluorescence spectra have been recorded and analysed using the Judd-Offelt theory. The analysis indicates that Ho doped tellurite glasses can show lasing on the 5F4 (5S2)-5I8 transition (548.0 nm).     

Biocompatible NaYF4:Yb,Er upconversion nanoparticles: Colloidal stability and optical properties

Currently, highly luminescent colloidal upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have expanded an increasing interest of researchers because of their facilitating lability in the biomedical/clinical field. In this study, NaYF₄:Yb,Er UCNPs are prepared by eco-friendly metal complexation-based thermal decomposition method at a lower temperature in aqueous media. The phase structure, crystallinity, phase purity, morphology, colloidal dispersibility, surface structure, surface charge, and optical and luminescent properties were evaluated carefully by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV/visible and photoluminescent spectroscopic techniques. XRD pattern shows a pure single-phase cubic structure with an average grain size of 30–35 nm. TEM and SEM micrographs exhibited irregularly shaped spherical morphologies, porous surface structures highly aggregated UCNPs with the narrow-size distribution. Positive zeta potential has shown value signifying high absorption in the visible region which indicates particle's good colloidal stability in aqueous media. Under NIR-laser light excitation, the UCNPs emit strong UC emission transitions in the visible region. A broad infrared absorption peak of hydroxyl groups (–OH) in FTIR spectrum and mass loss at a lower temperature in TGA verified the surface functionality of UCNPs, with high colloidal stability, and excellent biocompatibility in aqueous media. In terms of their surface characteristics and high luminescent properties, the NaYF₄:Yb,Er UCNPs could be interestingly applied in tagging of biomolecules, drug delivery, proteins labeling, and therapeutic and thermostats applications.