Efficient near-infrared quantum cutting by Ce~（3＋）-Yb~（3＋） couple in GdBO_3 phosphors

Ce3+ and Yb3+ co-activated GdBO3 phosphors were prepared by a conventional solid-state reaction method. X-ray powder diffraction, photoluminescent spectra and decay curves were used to characterize their structural and luminescent properties. An efficient near-infrared (NIR) quantum cutting (QC) from the phosphors was observed, which involved the emission of two low-energy NIR photons (around 971 nm) from an absorbed ultra-violet (UV) photon at 358 nm via a cooperative energy transfer (CET) from Ce3+ to Yb3+ ions. The theoretical quantum efficiency was calculated and the maximum efficiency approached up to 164% before reaching the critical concentration quenching threshold. Our results demonstrated that these phosphors might find potential application in improving the efficiency of silicon based solar cells.     

Electrospinning synthesis and luminescent properties of Lu₂O₃:Eu³⁺ nanofibers

One-dimensional Lu2O3:Eu3+ nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning followed by high-temperature calcinations.Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis,X-ray powder diffraction,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,scanning electron microscopy,photoluminescent spectra and decay curves were used to characterize the samples.Results showed that samples began to crystallize at ～500 oC and crystallized completely around 1000 oC.The average diameter of nanofibers(1000 oC annealed) was about 55 nm and the particle size of Lu2O3:Eu3+ increased with increasing annealing temperature.Under ultraviolet excitation,nanofibers exhibited typical red emission of Eu3+ in Lu2O3.The effect of heat-treatment temperature on luminescent properties of nanofibers was also discussed.