Preparation and characterization of BaLiF3：Er^3＋ nanoparticles by the hydrothermal microemulsion synthesized method

Nanoparticles of BaLiF3：Er^3＋ were prepared from the quaternary microemulsions of Cetyltrim-Enthyl Ammonium Bromide （CTAB）, n-butanol, n-octane, and water, using the hydrothermal-microemulsion technique. The complex fluorides were characterized by means of X-ray power diffraction, Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy （ESEM）, and fluorescence spectra. The positions and intensifies of the peaks in the XRD pattern of the final products indicate the formation of BaLiF3·Er^3＋. No other peaks or impurities were detected. The average size of the nanoparticles, calculated with the Debye-Scherrer equation was 98.45 nm, which was in agreement with the result of ESEM. The infrared fluorescence spectra consisted of four peaks with a predominant peak located at 1540 nm.     

Upconversion emission of SrYbF5：Er3＋nanosheets modified by Tm3＋ions

Through a hydrothermal route, the Er3＋and Tm3＋co-doped SrYbF5 nanosheets were synthesized. The resulting samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and luminescence spec-tra. Under the excitation of 980 nm laser irradiation, the upconversion emissions of Tm3＋ions centered at 474 nm （1G4→3H6）, 679 nm （3F2→3H6）, 699 nm （3F3→3H6）, 803 nm （3H4→3H6） and emissions of Er3＋ions centered at 522 nm （2H11/2→4I15/2）, 543 nm （4S3/2→4I15/2）, 654 nm （4F9/2→4I15/2） were observed. The upconversion emissions of Er3＋ions were adjusted by the concentration of Tm3＋ions. The energy transfer mechanisms among Er3＋-Yb3＋-Tm3＋in SrYbF5 nanosheets were discussed.     

Photoluminescence properties of LaF3：Eu^3＋ nanoparticles prepared by refluxing method

The europium-doped LaF3 nanoparticles were prepared by refluxing method in glycerol/water mixture and characterized with X-ray diffraction(XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum, and photoluminescence spectra. The results of XRD indicated that the obtained LaF3: Eu3+ nanoparticles were well crystallized with a hexagonal structure. The FE-SEM image illustrated that the LaF3: Eu3+ nanoparticles were spherical with an average size around 30 nm. Under irradiation of UV light, the emission spectrum of LaF3: Eu3+ nanoparticles exhibited the characteristic line emissions arising from the 5D0→7FJ (J=1, 2, 3, 4) transitions of the Eu3+ ions, with the dominating emission centered at 590 nm. In addition, the emissions from the 5D1 level could be clearly observed due to the low phonon energies (-350 cm-1) of LaF3 matrix. The optimum doping concentration for LaF3: Eu3+ nanoparticles was determined to be 20mol.%.     

Photocatalytic activity of Eu3＋-doped ZnO nanorods synthesized via microwave assisted technique

The doped ZnO nanorods as a photocatalyst with different Eu contents were prepared by microwave assisted method and they were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction(XRD),energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS),UV-Vis spectroscopy,surface area Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The average crystallite size and band gap energy of Eu-doped ZnO were varied with the Eu content.The XRD pattern of Eu-doped ZnO indicated hexagonal crystal structure with an average crystallite size of 25 nm.The presence of europium with trivalent state and its doping successfully into the crystal lattice of ZnO matrix were confirmed by XPS technique.The photocatalytic activity of Eu-doped ZnO nanorods was evaluated for methyl orange degradation.The photocatalytic experiments showed ～91% degradation of methyl orange over 0.2 mol.% Eu doped ZnO sample within 3 h under UV light(365 nm).     

Thermoluminescence characteristics and dosimetric aspects of fluoroperovskites （NaMgF3：Eu2＋,Ce3＋）

The perovskite-like NaMgF3 polycrystalline powder samples, pure and rare earth doped, were synthesized by conventional solid state reaction method. The perovskite material was doped with 0.2 mol.% of EuF3 and CeF3 impurity. Phase purity of synthe-sized compounds was analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction technique. The thermoluminescence response of polycrystalline samples showed a linear response up to 12 Gy and then became sub linear at higher doses. The order of kinetics （b）, activation energy （E） and other trapping parameters were calculated using peak shape method and variable heating rate method. From glow curve analysis the symmetric factor was calculated. The glow curve showed two peaks at 404 and 488 K, and both of them confirmed the thermolumi-nescence in the phosphor, which obeyed second-order kinetics. The experimental resulted showed that this phosphor could have po-tential applications in radiation dosimetry.     

Phase-, shape- and size-controlled synthesis of NaYF4：Yb3＋,Er3＋ nanoparticles using rare-earth acetate precursors

Hexagonal-phase NaYF4：Yb3＋,Er3＋ upconversion nanoparticles（UCNPs） with a uniform size distribution were synthesized using rare-earth acetates as precursors. The effects of reaction temperature and time on the phase transition process of the UCNPs were systematically studied. Based on the evolution of particle morphology and phase with temperature and time, it could be concluded that the transition from cubic phase to hexagonal phase for NaYF4：Yb3＋,Er3＋ UCNPs was consistent with a dissolution/recrystallization process. In addition, the shape and size of the UCNPs could be controlled by adjusting the solvent ratio and the precursor ratio, respectively.     

Broadband downconversion in YVO4：Tm3＋,Yb3＋ phosphors

An efficient near-infrared (NIR) downconversion (DC) by converting broadband ultraviolet (UV) into NIR was demonstrated in YVO4:Tm3+,Yb3+ phosphors. The phosphors were extensively characterized using various methods such as X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence excitation, photoluminescence spectra and decay lifetime to provide supporting evidence for DC process. Upon UV light varying from 260 to 350 nm or blue light (473 nm) excitation, an intense NIR emission of Yb3+ corresponding to transition of 2F5/2→2F7/2 peaking at 985 nm was generated. The visible emission, the NIR mission and the decay lifetime of the phosphors of various Yb3+ concentrations were investigated. Experimental results showed that the energy transfer from vanadate group to Yb3+ via Tm3+ was very efficient. Application of the broadband DC YVO4:Tm3+,Yb3+ phosphors might greatly enhance response of siliconbased solar cells.     

Blue-green BaAl_2O_4：Eu~（2＋）,Dy~（3＋） phosphors synthesized via combustion synthesis method assisted by microwave irradiation

Blue-green luminescent BaAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ phosphor powders were synthesized via combustion synthesis method assisted by microwave irradiation in air. The phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence spectrophotometer. The XRD results revealed that when the concentration of urea was over 3 times higher than theoretical quantities, a BaAl2O4 single hexagonal phase was obtained. The SEM results revealed that the surface of the BaAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ pow...     

Cathodoluminescent properties of Tb^3＋-doped yttria nanocrystallites

The Tb³⁺-doped Y₂O₃ nanopowders were synthesized using the modified Pechini method. The average size of nanocrystallites was controlled by different sintering temperatures. The structure and morphology of obtained nanopowders were examined using the XRD and SEM analyses. The Cr:Al₂O₃ was mixed with Tb³⁺:Y₂O₃ powders and its normalized emission was used to measure a relative intensity of Tb³⁺:Y₂O₃. The mixtures were electrophoretically deposited on ITO-glass slides. The cathodoluminescence spectra of obtained layers were recorded and analysed. The discussion over an influence of average grains size on phosphor efficiency was presented.     

Enhanced photoluminescence properties of （Y,Bi） BO_3：RE~（3＋） （RE=Eu,Tb） phosphors synthesized at low temperature

Eu3+ or Tb3+ doped Y(1-x)BixBO3 (0.1≤x≤0.4) phosphors were synthesized using the simple solid state method at low temperature from 700 to 870 ℃. The analysis of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that the system of Y(1-x)BixBO3 (0.1≤x≤0.4) had the same structure as that of YBO3. The excitation spectra, emission spectra and decay lifetimes of all samples were measured in detail. All the samples exhibited characteristic luminescence of Eu3+ or Tb3+. Y0.65Bi0.2Eu0.15BO3 and Y0.8Bi0.1Tb0.1BO3 samples had the...     

Upconversion luminescence of KGd（MoO_4）_2：Er~（3＋）,Yb~（3＋） powder prepared by Pechini method

Er3+ doped potassium gadolinium molybdate (KGM) phosphor with sensitizer Yb3+ ion was synthesized by the Pechini method using citric acid and ethylene glycol. The crystallization processes of the phosphor precursors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), which indicated that ultrafine uniform crystallites of KGM:Er,Yb were obtained by sintering the precursors at above 650 ℃ for 5 h. Upconversion luminescence (UL) spectra of the samples ...     

Combustion synthesis and upconversion luminescence of CaSc_2O_4：Yb~（3＋）,Er~（3＋） nanopowders

Novel up-conversion (UC) luminescent nano-powders, CaSc2O4:Yb3+:Er3+ were prepared with a combustion method at an ignition temperature as low as 200 oC. The CaSc2O4:Yb3+,Er3+ nano-powder had an orthorhombic CaFe2O4-type structure, and showed sphere-like morphology with an average diameter of about 30 nm. It gave strong green (525, 552 nm) and red (652-674 nm) up-conversion luminescence due to the 2H11/2→4I15/2, 4S3/2→4I15/2 and 4F9/2→4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ under a 980 nm semiconductor laser excitation a...     

Luminescence properties of Tm^3＋/Yb^3＋, Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ and Ho^3＋/Yb^3＋ activated calcium tungstate

CaWO4 phosphor activated by the Tm3+/Yb3+,Er3+/Yb3+ and Ho3+/Yb3+ ions were synthesized by a traditional high-temperature solid-state method.The crystal structures and morphologies of the products were characterized by X-ray powders diffraction method(XRD) ,infrared spectra(FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) .The samples were found to show up-conversion luminescence properties.CaWO4 doped with Tm3+/Yb3+ showed blue luminescence characteristic of Tm(III) ion in the range of 460-485 nm,corresponding to the 1G4→3H6 electronic transition.CaWO4 doped with Er3+/Yb3+ showed strong green luminescence at 510-565 nm(2H11/2,4S3/2→4I15/2) and weak red luminescence at 640-685 nm(4F9/2→4I15/2) of Er(III) ion.CaWO4 doped with Ho3+/Yb3+ phosphor emitted green luminescence at 525-560 nm(5S2,5F4→5I8) and red luminescence at 630-670 nm(5F5→5I8) and at 730-770 nm(5S2,5F4→5I7) ,which is the characteristic of Ho(III) ion.     

Increased downconversion efficiency and improved near infrared emission by different charge compensations in CaMoO_4：Yb~（3＋） powders

All of the samples were synthesized by sol-gel methods.Two approaches to charge compensation,(i) 2Ca2+→Yb3++M+,where M+ is an alkali ion like Li+,Na+ and K+,and(ii) indirect charge compensation:3Ca2+→2Yb3++vacancy,were studied in detail.It was found that charge compensation would be very beneficial for the growth of the grains,especially in Li+ ions added samples.All the grains were homogeneously spherical with less boundaries;in addition,a great variety of the absorption ability in different charge compens...     

Quenching mechanism of Er~(3+) emissions in Er~(3+)-and Er~(3+)/Yb~(3+)-doped SrAl_(12)O_(19) nanophosphors

Nanoscaled SrAl12O19:Er3+ and SrAl12O19:Yb3+,Er3+ phosphors were synthesized by a combustion method.The emission intensities of every sample were compared by a new method with the emission of codoped Gd3+ ions as a reference.Compared with their bulk material prepared by the solid-state reaction method,a higher Er3+ quenching concentration,as high as 20%,was observed in the nanoscaled phosphors for both visible(VIS) and near infrared(NIR) emissions.The higher quenching concentration in both VIS and NIR regio...     

Influence of dispersant on Y_2O_3:Eu~(3+) powders synthesized by combustion method

Y2O3:Eu3+ powders were synthesized by combustion method and the influence of dispersant was investigated.XRD analysis indicated that the particle size increased with a small amount of dispersant firstly and then decreased with a further increase of dispersant.The morphologies of the powders were studied by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM).SEM images revealed that an appropriate amount of dispersant could reduce the agglomeration significantly.Due ...     

Dependence of Temperature on Upconversion Emission of YLiF4 ：Er3 ＋

Intense upconversion emissions of YLiF4 : Er3 synthesized by hydrothermal method were obtained. The upconversion intensity decreases with the increase of environment temperature. In different temperature, the upconversion mechanism is different. At room temperature, the green upconversion meehanism is the combination of two-photon process and three-photon process, and the red upconversion mechanism is two-nhoton process.     

Spectroscopic Properties and Effect of Radiation Trapping of a New Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ Co-Doped Tellurite-Silicate Glasses

A new serials of Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ co-doped tellurite-silicate glasses were prepared by the technique of high-temperature mehing. The thermal stability, absorption spectra, emission spectra and upconversion spectra were measured and investigated. It is found that these kinds of glasses have good thermal stability, broad FWHM and large stimulated emission cross-section. The three upconversion emission at 525, 546, 658 nm, corresponding to the ^2H11/2→^4Ⅰ15/2, ^4S3/2→4^Ⅰ15/2 and ^F9/2→^4Ⅰ15/2 transitions of Dr^3＋ ions,