Upconversion Luminescence and Energy‐Transfer Mechanism of NaGd(MoO4)2: Yb3+/Er3+ Microcrystals

Uniform and well‐crystallized NaGd(MoO₄)₂: Yb³⁺/Er^{3 +} microcrystals with tetragonal plate morphology were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. The structure and phase purity of the samples were identified by powder XRD analysis. The steady‐state and transient luminescence spectra were measured and analyzed. Under 980 nm excitation, intense green luminescence at 531 and 553 nm, and red luminescence at 657 and 670 nm were observed. The optimum doping concentrations for Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ are determined to be 20% and 1% in NaGd(MoO₄)₂ tetragonal plate microcrystals. With increasing Yb³⁺ doping concentrations, the total integral emission intensities increase first and then decrease. The red/green intensity ratio of NaGd(MoO₄)₂: Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ microcrystals increases from 0.4 to 1.0 with the increase in Yb³⁺ concentrations. Based on the energy level diagram, the energy‐transfer mechanisms are investigated in detail according to the double logarithmic plot of upconversion intensities versus pump powers. The energy‐transfer mechanisms for green and red upconversion luminescence are ascribed to two‐photon processes at lower Yb³⁺ concentrations, and involve high‐Yb³⁺‐induced one‐photon processes at higher Yb³⁺ concentrations. For the red upconversion luminescence, energy back‐transfer process, that is, ⁴S_3/2 (Er³⁺) + ²F_7/2 (Yb³⁺) → ⁴I_13/2 (Er³⁺) + ²F_5/2 (Yb³⁺), is dominant at higher Yb³⁺ concentrations. Theoretical model of the energy‐transfer mechanisms based on rate equations is established, which agrees well with the experimental results.     

Upconversion luminescence properties of NaBi(MoO4)2:Ln3+, Yb3+ (Ln = Er,Ho) nanomaterials synthesized at room temperature

Studies on lanthanide ions doped upconversion nanomaterials are increasing exponentially due to their widespread applications in various fields such as diagnosis, therapy, bio-imaging, anti-counterfeiting, photocatalysis, solar cells and sensors, etc. Here, we are reporting upconversion luminescence properties of NaBi(MoO₄)₂:Ln³⁺, Yb³⁺ (Ln = Er, Ho) nanomaterials synthesized at room temperature by simple co-precipitation method. Diffraction and spectroscopic studies revealed that these nanomaterials are effectively doped with Ln³⁺ ions in the scheelite lattice. DR UV–vis spectra of these materials exhibit two broad bands in the range of 200–350 nm correspond to MoO₄²⁻ charge transfer, s-p transition of Bi³⁺ ions and sharp peaks due to f-f transition of Ln³⁺ ions. Upconversion luminescence properties of these nanomaterials are investigated under 980 nm excitation. Doping concentration of Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions is optimized to obtain best upconversion photoluminescence in NaBi(MoO₄)₂ nanomaterials and is found to be 5, 10 mol % for Er³⁺, Yb³⁺, respectively. NaBi(MoO₄)₂ nanomaterials co-doped with Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ exhibit strong green upconversion luminescence, whereas Ho³⁺, Yb³⁺ co-doped materials show strong red emission. Power dependent photoluminescence studies demonstrate that emission intensity increases with increasing pump power. Fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) and population redistribution ability (PRA) of ²H_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ increases with increasing the Yb³⁺ concentration. Also, these values increase linearly with increasing the pump power up to 2 W. It reveal that these thermally coupled energy levels are effectively redistributed in co-doped samples due to local heating caused by Yb³⁺.     

Optical Temperature Sensing Behavior of High‐Efficiency Upconversion: Er3+–Yb3+ Co‐Doped NaY(MoO4)2 Phosphor

A class of Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ co‐doped NaY(MoO₄)₂ upconversion (UC) phosphors have been successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal route with further calcination. The structural properties and the phase composition of the samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The UC luminescence properties of Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ co‐doped NaY(MoO₄)₂ were investigated in detail. Concentration‐dependent studies revealed that the optimal composition was realized for a 2% Er³⁺ and 10% Yb³⁺‐doping concentration. Two‐photon excitation UC mechanism further illustrated that the green enhancement arised from a novel energy‐transfer (ET) pathway which entailed a strong ground‐state absorption of Yb³⁺ ions and the excited state absorption of Yb³⁺–MoO₄^2? dimers, followed by an effective energy transfer to the high‐energy state of Er³⁺ ions. We have also studied the thermal properties of UC emissions between 303 and 523 K for the optical thermometry behavior under a 980 nm laser diode excitation for the first time. The higher sensitivity for temperature measurement could be obtained compared to the previous reported rare‐earth ions fluorescence based optical temperature sensors. These results indicated that the present sample was a promising candidate for optical temperature sensors with high sensitivity.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of CaGd2(MoO4)4:Eu3+ red phosphors

The novel red-emitting Eu³⁺ ions activated CaGd₂(MoO₄)₄ phosphors were prepared by a citrate sol–gel method. The X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed their tetragonal structure when the samples were annealed above 600 °C. The photoluminescence excitation spectra of CaGd₂(MoO₄)₄:Eu³⁺ phosphors exhibited the charge transfer band (CTB) and intense f–f transitions of Eu³⁺ ion. The optimized annealing temperature and Eu³⁺ ion concentration were analyzed for CaGd₂(MoO₄)₄:Eu³⁺ phosphors based on the dominant red (⁵D₀→⁷F₂) emission intensity under NUV (394 nm) excitation. All decay curves were well fitted by the single exponential function. These luminescent powders are expected to find potential applications such as WLEDs and optical display systems.     

Deep red upconversion photoluminescence in Er3+-doped Yb3Ga5O12 nanocrystalline garnet

The nanocrystalline single-phase Er³⁺-doped Yb₃Ga₅O₁₂ garnets have been prepared by the sol-gel combustion technique with a crystallite size of ≈30 nm. The presence of Yb³⁺ in garnet hosts allows their efficient excitation at the ≈977 nm wavelength. The Er³⁺ doping of Yb₃Ga₅O₁₂ garnet host results in deep red Er³⁺: ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 upconversion photoluminescence (UCPL) emission. The dominance of the red UCPL emission over the green Er³⁺: ⁴F_7/2/²H_11/2/⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 component was investigated using the measurement of the steady-state and time-dependent Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ emission spectra in combination with the power-dependent UCPL emission intensity. The proposed upconversion mechanism is discussed in terms of the Er³⁺ → Yb³⁺ energy back transfer process as well as Yb³⁺(Er³⁺) → Er³⁺ energy transfer and Er³⁺ ↔ Er³⁺ cross-relaxation processes. The studied Er³⁺-doped Yb₃Ga₅O₁₂ garnet may be utilized as a red upconversion emitting phosphor.     

Visible green upconversion luminescence of Er3+/Yb3+/Li+ co-doped CaWO4 particles

The upconversion (UC) luminescence of Li⁺/Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped CaWO₄ phosphors is investigated in detail. Single crystallized CaWO₄:Li⁺/Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ phosphor can be obtained, co-doped up to 25.0/5.0/20.0 mol% (Li⁺/Er³⁺/Yb³⁺) by solid-state reaction. Under 980 nm excitation, CaWO₄:Li⁺/Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ phosphor exhibited strong green UC emissions visible to the naked eye at 530 and 550 nm induced by the intra-4f transitions of Er³⁺ (²H_11/2,⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2). The optimum doping concentrations of Yb³⁺/Li⁺ for the highest UC luminescence were verified to be 10/15 mol%, and a possible UC mechanism that depends on the pumping power is discussed in detail.     

Intense upconversion luminescence and energy‐transfer mechanism of Ho3+/Yb3+ co‐doped SrLu2O4 phosphor

A series of novel SrLu₂O₄: x Ho³⁺, y Yb³⁺ phosphors (x=0.005‐0.05, y=0.1‐0.6) were synthesized by a simple solid‐state reaction method. The phase purity, morphology, and upconversion luminescence were measured by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The doping concentrations and sintering temperature were optimized to be x=0.01, y=0.5 and T=1400°C to obtain the strongest emission intensity. Under 980 nm laser diode excitation, the SrLu₂O₄:Ho³⁺, Yb³⁺ phosphors exhibit intense green upconversion (UC) emission band centered at 541 nm (⁵F₄,⁵S₂→⁵I₈) and weak red emission peaked at 673 nm (⁵F₅→⁵I₈). Under different pump‐power excitation, the UC luminescence can be finely tuned from yellow‐green to green light region to some extent. Based on energy level diagram, the energy‐transfer mechanisms are investigated in detail according to the analysis of pump‐power dependence and luminescence decay curves. The energy‐transfer mechanisms for green and red UC emissions can be determined to be two‐photon absorption processes. Compared with commercial NaYF₄:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ and common Y₂O₃:Ho³⁺, Yb³⁺ phosphors, the SrLu_1.49Ho_0.01Yb_0.5O₄ sample shows good color monochromaticity and relatively high UC luminescence intensity. The results imply that SrLu₂O₄:Ho³⁺, Yb³⁺ can be a good candidate for green UC material in display fields.     

Emission from Mo‐O charge‐transfer state and Yb3+ emission in Eu3+‐doped and nondoped molybdates under UV excitation

Molybdates of Li⁺ and Yb³⁺ are studied to investigate the luminescence under UV excitation. LiYb(MoO₄)₂ and Eu³⁺‐doped LiYb₁‐_xEux(MoO₄)₂ (x=001–1.0) phosphors were synthesized by solid state reaction under mixing of Eu₂O₃, Yb₂O₃, Li₂CO₃ and MoO₂ in air atmosphere. Two broad absorption bands centered at 333 and 236 nm are observed in LiYb(MoO₄)₂ compound. They are attributed to the ¹A₁→¹T₁ and ¹T₂ transitions due to the O^2?→Mo⁶⁺ electron transfers in MoO₄ tetrahedron. An emission band with a peak at about 440 nm is found, which is attributed to the ³T₁→¹A₁ transition of MoO₄. Appearance of near‐infrared (NIR) Yb³⁺ emission observed under UV excitation is understood by the MoO₄→Yb³⁺ Foerster‐Type energy transfer due to spectral overlap between the low‐energy tail of the broad 440 nm emission band and the high‐energy tail of the broad Yb³⁺ absorption band and due to short Yb³⁺‐MoO₄ distance. Yb³⁺ emission observed in LiYb_1?xEu_x(MoO₄)₂ by Eu³⁺ excitation is understood by the Eu³⁺→Yb³⁺ energy transfer by cross‐relaxation (CR) process between the ⁵D₀→⁷F₆ Eu³⁺ transition and the ²F_7/2→²F_5/2 Yb³⁺ transition. The CR efficiency shows maximum efficiency of 0.24 at x=0.15 of higher acceptor Yb³⁺ concentration than donor Eu³⁺ concentration. Three Yb³⁺ emission bands with peaks at 994, 1002, and 1023 nm are observed, depending on the excitation wavelength. This is explained by less‐shielded 4f electrons of Yb³⁺ by the 5s²5p⁶ outermost electron shells, which are also responsible for unusual broadband Yb³⁺ absorption and emission. From appearance of NIR Yb³⁺ emission under excitation by not only UV light but also red light, these compounds are expected to be suitable for efficient photovoltaic application to Si‐based solar cells.     

Morphology control and temperature sensing properties of micro-rods NaLa(WO4)2:Yb3+,Er3+ phosphors

Uniform spindle-like micro-rods NaLa(WO₄)₂:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ phosphors are prepared by the solvothermal method in the text. Controllable morphology of NaLa(WO₄)₂ crystal can be obtained by adjusting the prepared temperature, PH value, complexing agent content, and solvent ratio. Uniform NaLa(WO₄)₂:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ micro-rods of 1.8 μm in length and 0.5 μm in width are synthesized at a low temperature of 120°C. The prepared NaLa(WO₄)₂:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ phosphors present green upconversion luminescence under 980 nm excitation, luminescence intensity reaches to maximum at the Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ concentration of 6 and 2 mol%. The temperature performance of the NaLa(WO₄)₂:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ phosphors are evaluated based on thermal coupling technology. Temperature dependence of the two green emissions ratio of Er³⁺ ion is obtained, and the sensitivity of the sample can be calculated, the maximum sensitivity of NaLa(WO₄)₂:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ is up to 0.019 K⁻¹ at the sample temperature of 564 K.     

Color-tunable up-conversion emission from Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+/Ho3+ codoped KY(MoO4)2 microcrystals based on energy transfer

Tunable up-conversion luminescent material KY(MoO₄)₂: Yb³⁺, Ln³⁺ (Ln=Er, Tm, Ho) has been synthesized by a typical hydrothermal process. Under 980 nm laser diode (LD) excitation, the emission intensity and the corresponding luminescence colors of KY(MoO₄)₂: Yb³⁺, Ln³⁺ (Ln=Er, Tm, Ho) have been investigated in detail. The energy transfer from the Yb³⁺ sensitizer to Ho³⁺, Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺ activators plays an important role in the development of color-tunable single- phased phosphors. The emission intensity keep balance through control of the Ho³⁺ co-doping concentrations, white light was experimentally shown at KY(MoO₄)₂: 20 mol% Yb³⁺, 0.8 mol% Er³⁺, 0.5 mol% Tm³⁺, 1.0 mol% Ho³⁺ phosphor with further calcination at 800 °C for 4 h under 980 nm laser excitation. The color tunability, high quality of white light and high intensity of the emitted signal make these up-conversion (UC) phosphors excellent candidates for applications in solid-state lighting.     

Preparation,Structure, and Up‐Conversion Luminescence of Yb3+/Er3+ Codoped SrIn2O4 Phosphors

SrIn₂O₄, which shows lower phonon energy than CaIn₂O₄, is not only a good photocatalyst but also can be an excellent up‐conversion (UC) host to exhibits UC luminescence. In this work, Yb³⁺ and/or Er³⁺ doped SrIn₂O₄ phosphors were synthesized, and their UC luminescence properties were studied and compared with those in the CaIn₂O₄ host. The structure of SrIn₂O₄: 0.01Er³⁺ and SrIn₂O₄: 0.1Yb³⁺/0.01Er³⁺ samples were refined by the Rietveld method and found to that SrIn₂O₄: 0.1Yb³⁺/0.01Er³⁺ showed increasing unit cell parameters and cell volume, indicating In³⁺ sites were substituted successfully by Yb³⁺ and/or Er³⁺ ions. From the UC luminescence spectra and diffuse reflection spectra, Er³⁺‐doped SrIn₂O₄ showed very weak luminescence due to ground state absorption of Er³⁺; Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ codoped SrIn₂O₄ presented strong green (550 nm) and red (663 nm) UC emissions which were assigned to energy transfer from Yb³⁺ transition ²F_7/2→²F_5/2 to the Er³⁺ transition ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2. Comparing with CaIn₂O₄, Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ codoped SrIn₂O₄ showed obvious advantages with higher UC luminescent intensity. The pumping powers study showed that UC emissions in Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ codoped SrIn₂O₄ were attributed to energy transfer of Yb³⁺→Er³⁺ with a two‐photon process. The possible UC luminescent mechanism of Yb³⁺/Er³⁺‐doped SrIn₂O₄ was discussed.     

Er3+ cross-section spectra of Er3+/Pr3+:Gd3Ga5O12 single-crystal: Pr3+-codoping effect

Fluorescence and absorption spectra at 530 nm (²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2), 560 nm (⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2), 660 nm (⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2), 980 nm (⁴I_11/2→⁴I_15/2), 1530 nm (⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2), and 2710 nm (⁴I_11/2→⁴I_13/2) of Er³⁺ in Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂ single-crystal codoped with Pr³⁺ have been measured. Judd-Ofelt analysis yields the intensity parameters Ω₂ = (0.68 ± 0.03) × 10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₄ = (0.60 ± 0.07) × 10⁻²⁰ cm², and Ω₆ = (0.90 ± 0.17) × 10⁻²⁰ cm². A comparison with previously reported values of Er³⁺-only doping case shows that Pr³⁺-codoping causes slight change of both Ω₂ and Ω₄, while onefold increase of Ω₆. From calculated radiative rates and measured fluorescence spectra, Er³⁺ emission cross-section spectra were calibrated at first. Then, the absorption cross-section spectra were calculated using McCumber relation. In parallel, the absorption cross-section spectra were also obtained from the measured absorption spectrum, and compared with those obtained from the McCumber relation. The comparison shows that both methods give consistent result of absorption cross-section spectrum. Further comparison with Er³⁺-only doping case shows that Pr³⁺-codoping causes considerable change of Er³⁺ cross-section value. In spectrally mixing regions of Er³⁺ and Pr³⁺, Pr³⁺ emission affects little the determination of Er³⁺ emission cross-section as Pr³⁺ fluorescence is much weaker than Er³⁺ fluorescence due to low Pr³⁺ concentration.     

Upconversion thermal enhancement of 2H11/2→4I15/2 of Er3+ and blue emission of impurity Tm3+ in Sr3(PO4)2:Er3+/Yb3+

A series of Sr_2.99-x(PO₄)₂:.01Er³⁺/xYb³⁺ (x = .02, .04, .06, .08, .10) phosphors in the presence of impurity Tm³⁺ were synthesized by high temperature solid-state method, and X-ray diffraction results show that these samples are pure R-3 m(166) space group phase. The upconversion luminescence (UCL) of Er³⁺ and impurity Tm³⁺ under 980-nm laser excitation were investigated, and the results show that the intense blue UCL of impurity Tm³⁺ and thermal enhancement of ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2 of Er³⁺ simultaneously exist. When Er³⁺ doping concentration is kept at .01, both the blue UCL intensity of impurity Tm³⁺ and green and red UCL intensity of Er³⁺ reach the maximum at Yb³⁺ doping concentration of .08. The thermal enhancement effect of ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2 of Er³⁺ was observed as high as 3.27 times from 303 to 723 K, which is because of lattice distortion and phonon-assisted transition. In addition, the optical temperature performance of Sr_2.91(PO₄)₂:.01Er³⁺/.08Yb³⁺ sample was studied, and the maximum absolute temperature sensitivity was calculated as .00623 K⁻¹ at 538 K. This study suggests that Sr₃(PO₄)₂:Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ phosphors in the presence of impurity Tm³⁺ have a promising application prospect as optical temperature sensor at high temperature.     

NUV light induced visible emission in Er3+-activated NaSrLa(MoO4)O3 phosphors for green LEDs and thermometer

Er³⁺-activated NaSrLa(MoO₄)O₃ phosphors were synthesized by a traditional solid-state reaction technique, which exhibited bright green emissions ascribing to the (²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2) → ⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ ions under 377 nm excitation. The luminescence intensity increased with increasing the Er³⁺ ion concentration and achieved its maximum value when the doping concentration was 4 mol%. Moreover, the critical distance was estimated to be 25.32 Å, and the dipole-dipole interaction played a significant role in NR energy transfer between Er³⁺ ions in NaSrLa(MoO₄)O₃ host lattices. At a forward bias current of 100 mA, the Light Emitting Diode (LED) device emitted a bright green emission with the color coordinate of (0.2547, 0.5996) that can be observed by the naked eye. Besides, based on the thermally coupled levels of ²H_11/2 and ⁴S_3/2, the temperature sensing performances of the prepared phosphors in the temperature range of 303-483 K were studied using the fluorescence intensity ratio technique. The maximum sensor sensitivity was about 0.0150 K⁻¹ when the temperature was 483 K, and the Er³⁺ ion concentration largely influenced the sensor sensitivity of studied samples. Furthermore, the prepared phosphors exhibited excellent water resistance and thermal stability behavior. These characteristics demonstrated that the Er³⁺ activated NaSrLa(MoO₄)O₃ phosphors were dual-functional materials for solid-state illumination and non-contact temperature measurement.     

Tuning size and up-conversion luminescence of CeO2:Yb3+/Er3+ nanoparticles through lanthanide doping

Particle size is a critical parameter in up-conversion luminescence tuning and application research. In this study, CeO₂:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ nanospheres were synthesized via coprecipitation. The average size of these nanospheres gradually decreased as the Yb³⁺ doping concentration increased, which might be attributed to the influence of Yb³⁺ doping on the growth rate of nanospheres by surface charge repulsion. Upon exciting these nanospheres using a 980-nm laser, the corresponding up-conversion red-green emission intensity ratio gradually increased as the Yb³⁺ doping concentration increased, which might be ascribed to two reasons: the strengthened ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴F_9/2 nonradiative relaxation process and the enhanced Er³⁺ → Yb³⁺ energy back-transfer process. To assess the influence of the nonradiative relaxation process on the up-conversion emission red-green ratios, the down-conversion emission spectra and decay curves of CeO₂:x%Yb³⁺/2%Er³⁺ nanospheres that were excited by a 520 nm laser were investigated. To validate how the particle size affects the up-conversion emission, CeO₂:x%Lu³⁺/2%Yb³⁺/2%Er³⁺ nanospheres of various sizes were synthesized by substituting optically active Yb³⁺ using optically inert Lu³⁺. The corresponding up-conversion emission spectra and decay curves were investigated. The experimental results enhanced our understanding of how lanthanide doping affects the up-conversion luminescence tuning of Er³⁺, offering great potential to regulate the morphology and optical properties of the up-conversion luminescence nanoparticles.     

Preparation,luminescence properties,and application of temperature sensing and anti-counterfeiting of La2MgTiO6:Yb3+/Ln3+/Mn4+

The doping of transition metal ions in the up-conversion (UC) luminescent material doped with Yb³⁺/Ln³⁺ is a facile way to increase their UC luminescence intensities and alter their colors. In this study, La₂MgTiO₆:Yb³⁺/Mn⁴⁺/Ln³⁺ (Ln³⁺ = Er³⁺, Ho³⁺, and Tm³⁺) phosphors showing excellent luminescence properties were prepared by a solid-state method. The sensitivity of the La₂MgTiO₆:Yb³⁺/Ln³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ phosphor was double that without Mn⁴⁺, because Mn⁴⁺ affects the UC emissions of Ln³⁺ via energy transfer between these ions. Moreover, Mn⁴⁺ also acts as a down-conversion activator, which can combine with UC ions to achieve multi-mode luminescence at different wavelengths. Under 980 nm excitation, these samples emit green light (from Er³⁺ and Ho³⁺) and blue light (from Tm³⁺). In contrast, under 365 nm excitation, they emit red light (from Mn⁴⁺). Further testing revealed that the La₂MgTiO₆:Yb³⁺/Mn⁴⁺/Ln³⁺ phosphors have potential applications in temperature sensing and anti-counterfeiting.     

Splitting upconversion emission and phonon‐assisted population inversion of Ba2Y(BO3)2Cl:Yb3+, Er3+ phosphor

Upconversion (UC) peak of ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺ is close to that of ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2 transition. The UC emission splitting of Er³⁺ caused by coordination fields of host results in that it is difficult to confirm which transitions (⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 or ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2) are responsible for the splitting UC emission peaks. In this work, the UC luminescence peaks located at 524, 540, 551, 565, 662, 677, and 683 nm were observed in the Ba₂Y(BO₃)₂Cl:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ phosphor upon the 980 nm excitation. The 524 and 540 nm UC emissions intensity were increased, while the 551 and 565 nm UC emissions intensity were decreased with the temperature increasing from 323 to 573 K, which is attributed to the phonon‐assisted population inversion from the ⁴S_3/2 to ²H_11/2 level. The temperature dependence of UC emission spectra demonstrated that the 524 and 540 nm UC emissions are from ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2 transition, and 551 and 565 nm UC emissions are from the ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 transition. Temperature sensing property was characterized by the UC intensity ratio of the ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2 transition to ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 transition. The Ba₂Y(BO₃)₂Cl:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ phosphor has potential application as the non‐contact temperature sensor.     

Fabrication and Upconversion Luminescent Properties of Er3+‐Doped and Er3+/Yb3+ Codoped La2O2CN2 Nanofibers

La₂O₂CN₂:Er³⁺and La₂O₂CN₂:Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ upconversion (UC) luminescence nanofibers were successfully fabricated via cyanamidation of the respective relevant La₂O₃:Er³⁺ and La₂O₃:Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ nanofibers which were obtained by calcining the electrospun composite nanofibers. The morphologies, structures, and properties of the nanofibers are investigated. The mean diameters of La₂O₂CN₂:Er³⁺ and La₂O₂CN₂:Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ nanofibers are 179.46 ± 12.58 nm and 198.85 ± 17.07 nm, respectively. It is found that intense green and weak red emissions around 524, 542, and 658 nm corresponding to the ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2, and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_l5/2 energy levels transitions of Er³⁺ ions are observed for La₂O₂CN₂:Er³⁺ and La₂O₂CN₂:Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ nanofibers under the excitation of a 980‐nm diode laser. Moreover, the emitting colors of La₂O₂CN₂:Er³⁺ and La₂O₂CN₂:Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ nanofibers are all located in the green region. The upconversion luminescent mechanism and formation mechanism of the nanofibers are also proposed.     

Highly Sensitive Optical Thermometry of Yb3+‐Er3+ Codoped AgLa(MoO4)2 Green Upconversion Phosphor

Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ codoped AgLa(MoO₄)₂ phosphors with intense green emission from ²H_11/2/⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions and negligible red emission from ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺ were synthesized by sol–gel process. Its temperature sensing performance was evaluated based on the temperature dependence of fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) of two green emission bands in the range 300–510 K. The maximum sensitivity of AgLa(MoO₄)₂: 0.02Er³⁺/0.4Yb³⁺ is approximately 0.018 K^?1 at 480 K, which is much higher than those of reported samples based on green emissions of Er³⁺. Result suggests that AgLa(MoO₄)₂: Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ has a great potential application in optical temperature sensors.     

Controllable hydrothermal synthesis and photoluminescence properties of CaGd2(WO4)4:Eu3+ red-emitting phosphor

CaGd₂(WO₄)₄:Eu³⁺ phosphors with controllable morphology were synthesized via the hydrothermal method. The influences of pH value, reaction time and Eu³⁺ concentration on the crystal structure, morphology, and photoluminescence properties of CaGd₂(WO₄)₄:Eu³⁺ were studied. The pure tetragonal structure CaGd₂(WO₄)₄ is obtained when the pH value is 8 and 9. Furthermore, by altering the pH value of the reaction solution, the morphologies of the CaGd₂(WO₄)₄:Eu³⁺ phosphors evolve from spindle-shaped grains to tetragonal plate-like grains and finally to aggregated bulk particles. Under the 394 nm excitation, the phosphors display a bright red emission corresponding to the characteristic 4f-4f transitions of Eu³⁺, and the intensity of emission peaks depends mainly on the pH value, the reaction time, and the Eu³⁺ concentration. The optimum photoluminescence performance is achieved for CaGd_2-x(WO₄)₄:xEu³⁺ (x = 1) phosphor synthesized at pH = 8 under the reaction time of 16 h. Finally, the thermal stability of the phosphors is analyzed at different ambient temperatures.