The upconverted luminescence and chemical stability of morphologically controllable La2O3:Yb3+/Er3+ nanoparticles

Morphology and size controls are critical for the research of luminescent nanomaterials. In this work, La₂O₃:18%Yb³⁺/2%Er³⁺ nanoparticles were synthesized by a urea-assisted coprecipitation process, where the morphology and size of nanoparticles could be precisely controlled by adjusting the doping concentration, urea dosage and reaction time. With increasing Yb³⁺ doping concentration and reaction time, morphological evolution processes from nanosheets to nanospheres to nanofibers were observed. The experimental results revealed that the nanospheres could only be synthesized when 18%Yb³⁺ and 2%Er³⁺ were doped into the La₂O₃ host, where the size of the nanospheres could be precisely controlled by adjusting the urea dosage. The effects of the particle morphology and size on the upconversion luminescence of La₂O₃:18%Yb³⁺/2%Er³⁺ nanoparticles were investigated. In addition, the chemical stability of La₂O₃:18%Yb³⁺/2%Er³⁺ nanospheres in air was investigated by recording XRD and upconversion luminescence spectra after exposure to air for different periods. The experimental conclusions were useful for further probing the effects of the particle morphology and size on the upconversion emission of Er³⁺.     

Phase evolution in Bi2O3:Yb3+/Er3+ nanoparticles with nearly single-band red upconversion luminescence

Bi₂O₃:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ nanoparticles with flower-like morphology were easily synthesized by urea-assisted coprecipitation reactions. The influences of calcination temperature and doping concentration on the crystal phase structures of Bi₂O₃ and Bi₂O₃:x%Yb³⁺/2%Er³⁺ (x = 0–30) were systematically investigated by XRD analysis. The experimental results revealed that lanthanide doping could effectively improve the thermal stability of Bi₂O₂CO₃ samples, and the monoclinic-to-tetragonal-to-cubic phase transitions of Bi₂O₃ were implemented by controlling calcination temperatures and introducing smaller lanthanide ions (Ln³⁺) into the host lattices. Based on the analysis of TG and DSC curves, we found that the fundamental reason for this phase transition was the different stabilities of each crystalline phase under different doping conditions. Upon 980 nm laser excitation, Bi₂O₃:x%Yb³⁺/2%Er³⁺ samples presented near single-band red upconversion emission owing to the efficient energy reabsorption of the Bi₂O₃ host to Er³⁺ emission.     

Quantitative relationship between microstructure and optical properties of Er3+-Yb3+ co-doped glass-ceramics containing pyrochlore-type crystalline phases

Er³⁺-Yb³⁺ co-doped transparent glass-ceramics (GCs) containing Y₂Ti₂O₇ crystalline phase were prepared by the melting crystallization method. The qualitative relationship between light transmittance and three-dimensional structure parameters of glass-ceramic was studied according to the principle of stereology under different heat treatment conditions. As indicated by the research results, the light transmittance decreased with the increase in the equivalent spherical diameter (D_3S) and specific surface area per unit volume of the grains (S_V). However, the light transmittance increased linearly with the increase in the discrete grains (S_VP) and the mean free distance (λ). The up-conversion luminescence intensity was found to be most vigorous under Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ doping concentrations of 0.5% and 0.9%, respectively, at 980 nm excitation. Considering the correlation between pump power and up-conversion emission intensity, the up-conversion luminescence mechanism was explored. As revealed by the results of color purity and chromaticity coordinates, Er³⁺-Yb³⁺ co-doped GCs containing Y₂Ti₂O₇ have promising applications in green up-conversion luminescence.     

Lower power dependent upconversion multicolor tunable properties in TiO2:Yb3+/Er3+/ (Tm3+)

Multicolor tunable upconversion luminescence materials could be applied to polychromatic LED and anti-counterfeit due to their superiority in abundant color and security feature. However, the harsh terms to achieve emission tuning associated with the drawbacks, including changing the concentration or types of doping ions, higher temperature, and higher excitation power, limit the range of its application. In this paper, a convenient and versatile approach for multicolor-emitting is realized via simply lower power modulating in TiO₂:Yb³⁺/ Er³⁺ and TiO₂: Yb³⁺/Er³⁺/Tm³⁺. The emission color is tuned from pink to yellowish green in TiO₂:Yb³⁺/ Er³⁺ and tuned from white to yellowish green in TiO₂: Yb³⁺/Er³⁺/Tm³⁺. It's found that there is no apparent temperature variation at lower power. Meanwhile, the mechanism of the emission and the multicolor tunability is discussed.     

Color tunable up-conversion emission of ZrO2:Yb3+, Er3+ thin films prepared by chemical solution deposition

The color-tunable up-conversion (UC) emission was observed in ZrO₂:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ thin films synthesized on fused silica substrates using a chemical solution deposition method. The crystal structure, surface morphology image and optical transmittance of ZrO₂:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ thin films were detected in the matter of Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ doping content. Under excitation by 980?nm infrared light, intense UC emission can be obtained from ZrO₂:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ thin films. Photoluminescence study shows that there are two emission bands centered at 548?nm and 660?nm in the UC luminescence spectra, which can be owing to (²H_11/2,⁴S_3/2)→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ ions, respectively. In addition, the color coordinate of UC emission between green-red can be tuned by properly adjusting the dopant concentration, because the composition of Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ affect the red/green ratio via the process of cross relaxation and energy back transfer. Our study suggests that ZrO₂:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ thin films can be considered as promising materials for new photoluminescence devices.     

Stannum-(II) dopant effects on morphology evolution and upconversion performance of Yb3+/Er3+:NaGdF4 crystals

Hexagonal Yb³⁺/Er³⁺:NaGdF₄ nanocrystals codoped with Sn²⁺ ions were prepared via a modulated solvothermal method. Upon introducing 25mol% Sn²⁺ ions into the host lattice by substituting Gd³⁺ ions, a portion of Yb³⁺/Er³⁺:NaGdF₄ nanocrystals was converted into nanorods. Meanwhile, the upconversion (UC) luminescence intensity of 542 nm and 652 nm were intensified by 24 and 33 times respectively, when compared with samples without Sn²⁺ ions doping. The effect of Sn²⁺ ions doping content on the morphology and UC emission performances of Yb³⁺/Er³⁺:NaGdF₄ nanocrystals were discussed in detail. The enhancement of UC luminescence intensity could be attributed to the growth of UC nanocrystals and the low crystal local symmetry around Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ ion pairs. This study may be beneficial for fabricating high-performance UC materials and realizing their practical applications.     

Temperature self-monitoring photothermal nano-particles of Er3+/Yb3+ Co-doped zircon-tetragonal BiVO4

Self-monitored photo-thermal therapy (PTT) still faces huge challenge in cancer treatment, which aims to realize the real-time temperature reading during the course of optical heating. Exploiting new-type photo-thermal therapeutic agent (PTA) with thermometric function is considered to be one of effective methods to fulfill self-monitored PTT. In this work, spindle-like zircon-tetragonal (z-t) phase BiVO₄:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ up-conversion (UC) nano-particles as self-monitored PTAs were prepared through the combination of co-precipitation and hydrothermal method. Under 980 nm laser diode excitation, real-time thermometry was accomplished by monitoring thermo-responsive emission intensity ratio of Er³⁺ (²H_11/2/⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2) transitions. Meanwhile, the photo-thermal conversion effect associated with UC process was trigged via the non-radiative transition channels. Considering the balance between UC emission intensity and heat generation, the optimal sample composition was determined as BiVO₄:20%Yb³⁺/3%Er³⁺. Their maximum absolute sensitivity (S_a) reached 0.0125 K^-1 at 460 K as the thermometer and the ability of photo-thermal conversion up to 3.32 K cm²/W as PTAs. Their potential applications in controlled subcutaneous photo-thermal treatment were estimated through ex vivo experiments. Results provided a new choice for nano-materials to realize real-time temperature feedback in the single host material (z-t BiVO₄) during the course of PTT.     

Enhancement of up-conversion emission and emerging cool white light emission in co-doped Yb3+/ Er3+: Li2O-LiF-B2O3-ZnO glasses for photonic applications

A series of co-doped (Yb³⁺/Er³⁺): Li₂O-LiF-B₂O₃-ZnO glasses were prepared by standard melt quenching technique. Structural and morphological studies were carried out by XRD and FESEM. Phonon energy dynamics have been clearly elucidated by Laser Raman analysis. The pertinent absorption bands were observed in optical absorption spectra of singly doped and co-doped Yb³⁺/Er³⁺: LBZ glasses. We have been observed a strong up-conversion red emission pertaining to Er³⁺ ions at 1.0 mol% under the excitation of 980 nm. However, the up-conversion and down conversion (1.53 µm) emission intensities were remarkably enhanced with the addition of Yb³⁺ ions to Er³⁺: LBZ glasses due to energy transfer from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺. Up-conversion emission spectra of co-doped (Yb³⁺/Er³⁺): LBZ glasses exhibits three strong emissions at 480 nm, 541 nm and 610 nm which are assigned with corresponding electronic transitions of ²H_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 respectively. Consequently, the green to red ratio values (G/R) also supports the strong up-conversion emission. The Commission International de E′clairage coordinates and correlated color temperatures (CCT) were calculated from their up-conversion emission spectra of co-doped (Yb³⁺/Er³⁺): LBZ glasses. The obtained chromaticity coordinates for optimized glass (0.332, 0.337) with CCT value at 5520 K are very close to the standard white colorimetric point in cool white region. These results could be suggested that the obtained co-doped (Yb³⁺/Er³⁺): LBZ glasses are promising candidates for w-LEDs applications.     

Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped Gd2Te4O11 nanosheets with intrinsic polarity: One-step hydrothermal synthesis and upconverted optical temperature measuring ability

The digadolinium tellurite phosphors of Gd₂Te₄O₁₁(GTO):Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ have been successfully synthesized as upconversion luminescence (UCL) materials via one-step hydrothermal method. The crystal structure, morphology, and upconversion luminescence property were systematically characterize by XRD, SEM, and spectroscopy techniques. The Rietveld refinements of crystal structure were carried out on the XRD patterns and the feature of crystal structure was analyzed. Under the 980 nm NIR excitation, these materials showed very bright upconverted emissions. The concentrations of Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ were optimized and the strongest upconverted emissions were achieved in the GTO:15%Yb³⁺/1%Er³⁺. The possible energy transfer mechanism of UCL was proposed based upon the analysis of power-dependent UCL and fluorescence kinetics. Furthermore, the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) derive from the two thermally coupled energy levels (²H_11/2 and ⁴S_3/2) of Er³⁺ was employed as indicator for temperature measurement. The maximum absolute sensitivity can be achieved to be 7.34 × 10^?3 K^?1 at 501 K. This material exhibited good reliability and repeatability in optical temperature measurement, which could be a novel promising candidate for noncontact temperature sensors.     

Enhanced green upconversion luminescence properties of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped strontium gadolinium silicate oxyapatite phosphor

Upconversion Sr₂(Gd_.98-xEr_.02Yb_x)₈Si₆O₂₆ (SGSO:2Er³⁺/xYb³⁺) phosphor materials were synthesized using a citrate sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed their hexagonal structure. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images of SGSO:2Er³⁺/xYb³⁺ phosphors depicted submicron particles. The enhanced upconversion luminescence properties of SGSO:2Er³⁺/xYb³⁺ phosphors were analysed as a function of Yb³⁺ ion concentration and laser power. The energy transfer induced enhanced emission of the Er³⁺/ Yb³⁺ ions co-doped SGSO phosphors was ascribed to multi-phonon relaxation. The calculated chromaticity coordinates of the SGSO:2Er³⁺/xYb³⁺ phosphors showed emissions could be tuned by changing Yb³⁺ ion concentration. Optimized sample exhibited the chromaticity coordinate values near to the ultra-high definition television standard green emission coordinates.     

Energy transfer and up-conversion luminescence in Er/Yb co-doped transparent glass ceramic containing YF3 nano-crystals

Transparent glass ceramics containing YF₃ nano-crystals were fabricated by heat treatment of the SiO₂–Al₂O₃–NaF–YF₃–LnF₃ (Ln = Er, Yb) glasses. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analyses evidenced the homogeneous distribution of spherical YF₃ nano-crystals sized 25–30 nm among the glassy matrix. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurement, combined with the Stark splitting of the absorption and emission bands, verified the incorporation of Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions into YF₃ nano-crystals. The infrared to visible up-conversion emission of Er³⁺ intensified with the increasing of Yb³⁺ concentration, ascribing to the increase of the efficiency of non-radiative energy transfer from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ which exceeded 45% for the 0.5Er³⁺/1.0Yb³⁺ co-doped sample. The up-conversion luminescence at 545 and 660 nm were affirmed coming from two-photon excitation process.     

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.     

Effects of Er3+ concentration on down-/up-conversion luminescence and temperature sensing properties in NaGdTiO4: Er3+/Yb3+ phosphors

Usually, Er³⁺ doping concentration effect on the temperature sensing properties of Er³⁺ containing materials is ignored. In this work, we demonstrated the influence of Er³⁺ concentration and excitation path on the spectral and temperature sensing properties in Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ co-doped NaGdTiO₄ system. The NaGdTiO₄: Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ phosphors were prepared by a high temperature solid state reaction method. Different spectral patterns for down- and up-conversion processes were observed and ascribed to the different excitation and population routes. The concentration quenching behaviors for down- and up-conversion processes were explained via cross relaxations between Er³⁺ ions. Most importantly, the Er³⁺ concentration dependent optical temperature sensing performance was observed and experimentally explained as a fact that the optical transition rate of Er³⁺ in different samples was changed with various Er³⁺ doping concentration.     

Simultaneously controlling phase,morphology and up-conversion luminescence via lanthanide doping in Bi2O3: Yb3+/Tm3+ nanoparticles

Bi₂O₃: Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺ nanoparticles with varied phase structures and morphologies were synthesized via the co-precipitation method assisted with a subsequent high-temperature calcination process. The influences of experimental parameters including dosage of urea, dopant concentration, reaction temperature and time on the crystal phase structures and morphologies of the as-prepared nanoparticles were investigated. Results revealed that the morphology, the crystal phase and the up-conversion emission of Bi₂O₃: Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺ could be simultaneously controlled by varying Yb³⁺ doping concentration. With increasing Yb³⁺ doping concentration (0-40%), the dramatic morphological evolution (nano-sheet to nano-flower to nano-sphere) and phase transition (monoclinic to tetragonal to cubic phase) were observed. Under the excitation of CW and pulse 980 nm lasers, Bi₂O₃: Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺ samples exhibited red (693 nm) and NIR (795 nm) double-band up-conversion emissions, where the increase of Yb³⁺ concentration leaded to the decreased emission intensity ratio of NIR to red (I₇₉₅/I₆₉₃) and the suppressed pulse-width-dependent up-conversion output.     

Visible up-conversion luminescence of CaWO<Subscript>4</Subscript>: Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>,Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and emission enhancement by tri-doping of Li<Superscript>+</Superscript> ions

Er³⁺,Yb³⁺ co-doped CaWO₄ polycrystalline powders were prepared by a solid-state reaction and their up-conversion (UC) luminescence properties were investigated in detail. Under 980 nm laser excitation, CaWO₄: Er³⁺,Yb³⁺ powder exhibited green UC emission peaks at 530 and 550 nm, which were due to the transitions of Er³⁺ (²H_11/2)→Er³⁺ (⁴I_15/2) and Er³⁺ (⁴S_3/2)→Er³⁺ (⁴I_15/2), respectively. Effects of Li+ tri-doping into CaWO₄: Er³⁺,Yb³⁺ were investigated. The introduction of Li⁺ ions reduced the optimum calcinations temperature about 100 °C by a liquid-phase sintering process and the UC emission intensity was remarkably enhanced by Li⁺ ions, which could be attributed to the lowering of the symmetry of the crystal field around Er³⁺ ions.     

Facile Electrospinning Preparation and Up-Conversion Luminescence Performance of Y3Al5O12:Er3+, Yb3+ Nanobelts

Electrospinning technique was used to prepare $ {\text{PVP}}/\left[ {{\text{Y}}\left( {{\text{NO}}_{ 3} } \right)_{ 3} + {\text{Yb}}\left( {{\text{NO}}_{ 3} } \right)_{ 3} + {\text{Er}}\left( {{\text{NO}}_{ 3} } \right)_{ 3} + {\text{Al}}\left( {{\text{NO}}_{ 3} } \right)_{ 3} } \right] $ composite nanobelts and novel structures of Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ (denoted as YAG:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ for short) nanobelts have been successfully fabricated after calcination of the relevant composite nanobelts at 900 °C for 8 h. YAG:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ nanobelts were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence spectroscopy. XRD analysis indicated that YAG:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ nanobelts were cubic in structure with space group I_a3d. SEM analysis and histograms revealed that the width of YAG:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ nanobelts was ca. 1.8 ± 0.37 μm under the 95 % confidence level, and the thickness was ca. 81.8 nm. Up-conversion emission spectra analysis manifested that YAG:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ nanobelts respectively emitted strong green and red emissions centering at 522, 554 and 648 nm under the excitation of a 980-nm diode laser. The green emissions were assigned to the energy levels transitions of $ ^{ 2} {\text{H}}_{ 1 1/ 2} ,^{ 4} {\text{S}}_{ 3/ 2} \to^{ 4} {\text{I}}_{ 1 5/ 2} $ of Er³⁺ ions, and the red emission originated from the energy levels transition of $ ^{ 4} {\text{F}}_{ 9/ 2} \to ^{ 4} {\text{I}}_{{{\text{l5}}/ 2}} $ of Er³⁺ ions. The up-conversion luminescence of YAG:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ nanobelts doped with various concentrations of Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ was studied and the optimum molar ratio of Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ was found to be 15:1. CIE analysis demonstrated that color-tuned luminescence can be obtained by adjusting doping concentrations of Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions, which could be applied in the fields of optical telecommunication and optoelectronic devices. The up-conversion luminescent mechanism and the formation mechanism of YAG:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ nanobelts were also proposed.     

Microwave Sol–Gel Synthesis of CaGd2(MoO4)4:Er3+/Yb3+ Phosphors and Their Upconversion Photoluminescence Properties

CaGd₂(MoO₄)₄:Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ phosphors with the doping concentrations of Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ (x = Er³⁺ + Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ = 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and Yb³⁺ = 0.2, 0.45) have been successfully synthesized by the microwave sol–gel method, and the crystal structure refinement and upconversion photoluminescence properties have been investigated. The synthesized particles, being formed after heat‐treatment at 900°C for 16 h, showed a well‐crystallized morphology. Under the excitation at 980 nm, CaGd₂(MoO₄)₄:Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ particles exhibited strong 525 and 550‐nm emission bands in the green region and a weak 655‐nm emission band in the red region. The Raman spectrum of undoped CaGd₂(MoO₄)₄ revealed about 15 narrow lines. The strongest band observed at 903 cm^?1 was assigned to the ν₁ symmetric stretching vibration of MoO₄ tetrahedrons. The spectra of the samples doped with Er and Yb obtained under 514.5 nm excitation were dominated by Er³⁺ luminescence preventing the recording Raman spectra of these samples. Concentration quenching of the erbium luminescence at ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions in the CaGd₂(MoO₄)₄:Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ crystal structure was established to be approximately at the 10 at.% doping level.     

Color-tunable up-conversion emission in Y2O3:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles prepared by polymer complex solution method

Abstract

Powders of Y₂O₃ co-doped with Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ composed of well-crystallized nanoparticles (30 to 50 nm in diameter) with no adsorbed ligand species on their surface are prepared by polymer complex solution method. These powders exhibit up-conversion emission upon 978-nm excitation with a color that can be tuned from green to red by changing the Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ concentration ratio. The mechanism underlying up-conversion color changes is presented along with material structural and optical properties.

PACS

42.70.-a, 78.55.Hx, 78.60.-b     

Effect of crystalline fraction on upconversion luminescence in Er3+/Yb3+ Co-doped NaYF4 oxyfluoride glass-ceramics

The crystalline fraction were adjusted MgO concentration and the corresponding effect on upconversion (UC) luminescence in Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped NaYF₄ oxyfluorode glass-ceramics was investigated. With increase of MgO and the content of Na₂O reduced, the internal network structure of the glass became compact, which made the size of NaYF₄ nanocrystals unchanged, while the average distance between the nanocrystals increased significantly. Crystal growth is limited with the glass network, keeping the crystal size not changed. SNM-1 glass ceramics samples show a predominant red up-conversion emission under near infrared excitation at 980 nm, while a predominant green emission is observed in the SNM-3 samples. In this paper, it was indicated that it changed the effect of glass network modifier MgO in the glass structure. The possible mechanism responsible for the color variation of UC in Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped was discussed.     

Synthesis and Up‐conversion Luminescence of Yb3+/Ln3+ (Ln = Er,Tm, Ho) Co‐Doped Strontium Cerate by Pechini Method

Novel up‐conversion (UC) luminescent nanopowders, Sr₂CeO₄:Yb³⁺,Ln³⁺ (Ln = Er, Tm, Ho) were prepared with Pechini method. The Sr₂CeO₄:Yb³⁺,Ln³⁺ (Ln = Er, Tm, Ho) nanopowders had an orthorhombic crystal structure, and showed olive‐like morphology with the length of about 260 nm and width of about 130 nm. Under 980 nm lazer excitation, the Sr₂CeO₄:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺, Sr₂CeO₄:Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺, and Sr₂CeO₄:Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺ nanophosphors exhibit strong green, blue, and green UC luminescence, respectively. The luminescence mechanisms for the doped lanthanide ions were thoroughly analyzed.