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.     

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.     

REVO4‐Based Nanomaterials (RE = Y,La, Gd,and Lu) as Hosts for Yb3+/Ho3+, Yb3+/Er3+, and Yb3+/Tm3+ Ions: Structural and Up‐Conversion Luminescence Studies

Rare‐earth vanadates of the form REVO₄ (RE = Y, La, Gd, and Lu) doped by Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺, Yb³⁺/Er³⁺_, or Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺ lanthanide ions were successfully synthesized using the sol–gel method and annealing at 600°C in an air atmosphere. The structure and morphology of the prepared nanocrystals were investigated by X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. All prepared materials were homogenous and had nanosized dimensions. Their elemental compositions were confirmed by optical emission spectrometry. Spectroscopic analysis of the materials was carried out by measuring excitation and emission spectra, luminescence decays, and dependence between the intensity of the luminescence and the laser energy. Following effective excitation by NIR radiation, Ln³⁺ co‐doped vanadate matrices exhibited a strong up‐conversion (UC) luminescence. Differences in spectroscopic properties between monoclinic LaVO₄ and tetragonal YVO₄, GdVO₄, or LuVO₄ doped by Ln³⁺ ions were observed, indicating the influence of the crystal structure on the UC emission. Drawing conclusions from these spectroscopic investigations, the UC mechanisms were proposed, including energy‐transfer processes between Yb³⁺ ions and emitting ions.     

Facile synthesis,novel structure,multicolor luminescence,and potential applications of lanthanide ions doped bismuth titanate phosphors

A variety of lanthanide ions doped bismuth titanate (Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂) luminescent materials with eminent down-conversion (DC) and up-conversion (UC) luminescence performance have been fabricated via a facile sol-gel approach. The XRD, XPS, and EDX elemental mapping results confirm the phase structure of orthorhombic Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ (BTO), and the lanthanide activator ions occupy the Bi³⁺ lattice sites in the BTO crystal. Under UV or NIR excitation, the Eu³⁺, Yb³⁺/Ln³⁺ (Ln = Er, Tm, and Ho) doped Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ samples exhibit characteristic red, green, blue, and green emissions. The luminescent mechanisms of the BTO:Eu³⁺ and BTO:Yb³⁺/Ln³⁺ samples are discussed based on the energy level diagrams. The doping concentrations of Eu³⁺, Yb³⁺, Er³⁺, Tm³⁺, Ho³⁺ ions and annealing temperature and time are optimized, whose optimal values are determined to be 14, 8, 1, 0.4, 1 mol% and 800 ^oC, 4 h. The as-obtained LED devices fabricated by Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂:Eu³⁺ and Yb³⁺/Ln³⁺ phosphors exhibit dazzling multicolor visible light emissions from different Ln³⁺ ions. The results indicate that the as-obtained Ln³⁺ doped BTO phosphors may be potentially utilized in LED devices and solid-state lighting. Furthermore, the Eu³⁺ and Er³⁺ co-doped BTO samples exhibit different DC and UC luminescence spectral profiles when excited at various UV, visible, or NIR wavelengths, revealing their eminent feasibility and great potential in anti-counterfeiting applications.     

Tailorable Multicolor Up‐conversion Emissions in Tm3+/Ho3+/Yb3+ Co‐Doped LiLa(MoO4)2

Using a modified sol–gel method, LiLa(MoO₄)₂: Tm³⁺/Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ phosphors with tailorable up‐conversion (UC) emission colors were prepared. Under the excitation of a 980 nm laser diode, up‐conversion red and green emissions in Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ co‐doped and blue emission in Tm³⁺/Yb³⁺ co‐doped LiLa(MoO₄)₂ were observed, respectively. The intensities of the RGB (red, green, and blue) emissions could be controlled by varying concentrations of Tm³⁺ or Ho³⁺, and the optimal composition was also determined. In Tm³⁺/Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ co‐doped LiLa(MoO₄)₂, the UC emission colors could be tuned from blue through white to yellow by adjusting the concentrations of Tm³⁺ or Ho³⁺. The UC excitation mechanisms were also investigated based on the power dependence of UC luminescence intensity.     

BiLaWO6: Er3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ phosphor: Study of multiple fluorescence intensity ratiometric thermometry at cryogenic temperatures

Highly thermally stable Er³⁺/Tm³⁺/Yb³⁺ tri-doped bismuth lanthanum tungstate phosphors were prepared by high temperature solid-state reaction method. The structural and morphological properties of the prepared phosphors were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersion spectrum (EDS). Visible upconversion (UC) luminescence was measured by exciting the phosphors with 980 nm laser radiation. The dependence of the UC intensity of each emission band of Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺ ions as a function of temperature in the range from 30 to 300 K was monitored. Fluorescence intensity ratios (FIR) of thermally coupled levels (TCL) and non-thermally coupled levels (NTCL) were analysed and verified with appropriate theoretical validation. The absolute (S_A) and relative sensitivities (S_R) were estimated and compared with the reported systems. In the present case of BiLaWO₆: Er³⁺/Tm³⁺/Yb³⁺, S_R (0.43 % K^?1) related to TCL of Er³⁺ UC is found to have maximum sensitivity compared to any of the NTCL combinations at 300 K. From this study we inferred that the S_R values estimated from NTCL are smaller than that of TCL involved in BLW: Er³⁺/Tm³⁺/Yb³⁺ phosphor. The temperature dependent CIE color coordinates were also evaluated in the cryogenic temperature region.     

Triple NIR light excited up-conversion luminescence in lanthanide-doped BaTiO3 phosphors for anti-counterfeiting

Up-conversion luminescent (UCL) materials are excellent candidate for optical anti-counterfeiting and the exploitation of multi-wavelength NIR light triggered UC phosphors with tunable color emission is essential for reliable anti-counterfeiting technology. Herein, a series of lanthanide ions (Er³⁺, Er³⁺–Ho³⁺, and Yb³⁺–Tm³⁺) doped BaTiO₃ submicrometer particles are synthesized through a modified hydrothermal procedure. XRD and SEM measurements were carried out to identify the structure and morphology of the samples and their UCL properties under 808, 980, and 1550 nm NIR excitation are investigated. Er³⁺ singly doped sample exhibits Er³⁺ concentration-dependent and excitation wavelength-dependent emission color from green to yellow and orange. The corresponding UC mechanisms under three NIR light excitation are clarified. Pure red emission under 1550-nm excitation was obtained by introducing small amount of Ho³⁺ and the fluorescent lifetime test was used to confirm the energy transfer from Er³⁺ to Ho³⁺. In addition, Yb³⁺–Tm³⁺ co-doped sample shows intense blue emission from ¹G₄ → ³H₆ transition of Tm³⁺ under 980-nm excitation. As a proof of concept, the designed pattern using phosphors with red, green, and blue three primary color emissions under 1550, 808, and 980 nm NIR excitation was displayed to demonstrate their anti-counterfeiting application.     

Concentration effects on the upconversion luminescence in Ho3+/Yb3+ co-doped NaGdTiO4 phosphor

Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped NaGdTiO₄ phosphors were synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. The upconversion (UC) luminescence characteristics excited by 980 nm laser diode were systematically investigated. Bright green UC emission centered at 551 nm accompanied with weak red and near infrared (NIR) UC emissions centered at 652 and 761 nm were observed. The dependence of UC emission intensity on excitation power density showed that all of green, red and NIR UC emissions are involved in two-photon process. The UC emission mechanisms were discussed in detail. Concentration dependence studies indicated that Ho³⁺ and Yb³⁺ concentrations had significant influences on UC luminescence intensity and the intensity ratio of the red UC emission to that of the green one. Rate equations were established based on the possible UC mechanisms and a theoretical formula was proposed to describe the concentration dependent UC emission. The UC luminescence properties of the presented material was evaluated by comparing with commercial NaYF₄:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ phosphor, and our sample showed a high luminescence efficiency and good color performance, implying potential applications in a variety of fields.     

Multicolor upconversion emission and highly optical temperature sensing based on lanthanide-doped double perovskite Sr2LaNbO6 phosphors

Here we adopt trivalent lanthanide (Ln³⁺ = Er³⁺, Er³⁺/Ho³⁺, and Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺) doped Sr₂LaNbO₆ (SLNO) as novel upconversion luminescence (UCL) materials for achieving UCL and optical temperature sensing under 980 nm excitation. Specifically, Er³⁺ single doped Sr₂LaNbO₆ phosphors present bright high-purity green emission under the 980 nm excitation. While co-doping with the Ho³⁺ ions, the component of red emission from Er³⁺ ions increases significantly and sample show a remarkable enhancement of luminescent intensity relative to SLNO:Er³⁺ sample. The above-mentioned phosphors and Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺ co-doped phosphor (blue emission) successfully achieve high-purity trichromatic UCL and mixed white light output in the same host. Furthermore, the temperature sensing performance of the SLNO:Er³⁺/Ho³⁺ phosphor based on the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) is systematically studied for the first time. The temperature sensing based on the non-thermal coupling levels (NTCLs) exhibit higher sensitivity than that based on the thermal coupling levels (TCLs). The maximum absolute and relative sensitivity for ⁴F_9/2/⁴I_9/2 NTCLs reach 0.16803 K^?1 at 427 K and 0.01591 K^?1 at 641 K, respectively. Interestingly, NIR emission of ⁴I_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition presents a thermal enhancement, while visible emissions show thermal quenching. These results indicate that the Ln³⁺ doped Sr₂LaNbO₆ UCL phosphors have potential applications in the fields of non-contact temperature sensors, full-color displays, and anti-counterfeiting.     

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.     

A Novel Multifunctional Upconversion Phosphor: Yb3+/Er3+ Codoped La2S3

Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ codoped La₂S₃ upconversion (UC) phosphors have been synthesized using high‐temperature solid‐state method. Under 971‐nm excitation, the maximum luminescence power can reach 0.64 mW at the excitation power density of 16 W/cm² and an absolute power yield of 0.36% was determined by an absolute method at the excitation power density of 3 W/cm², and the quantum yield of La₂S₃:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ (green ~0.18%, red ~0.03%, integration ~0.21) was comparable to that of NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ nanocrystals (integration ~0.005–0.30). Frequency upconverted emissions from two thermally coupled excited states of Er³⁺ were recorded in the temperature range 100–900 K. The maximum sensitivity of temperature sensing is 0.0075 K^?1. As the excitation power density increases, the temperature of host materials rapidly rises and the top temperature can reach to 600 K. Given the intense UC emission, high sensitivity, as well as good photothermal stability, La₂S₃:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ phosphor can become a promising composite material for photothermal ablation of cancer cells possessing the functions of temperature sensing and in vivo imaging.     

Intense 2.85 μm mid-infrared emissions in Yb3+/Ho3+ codoped and Yb3+/Er3+/Ho3+ tridoped TBLL fluorotellurite glasses and their energy transfer mechanism

Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺ codoped and Yb³⁺/Er³⁺/Ho³⁺ tridoped TeO₂–BaF₂–LaF₃–La₂O₃ (TBLL) fluorotellurite glasses with low OH^? absorption (0.026 cm^-1), high glass transition temperature (434 °C) and low phonon energy (784 cm^-1) were prepared. Their mid-infrared fluorescence properties and related energy transfer (ET) mechanism were studied under 980 nm excitation. A strong emission at 2.85 μm was realized in Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺ codoped tellurite glass, which was attributed to the high-efficiency ET from Yb³⁺ ions to Ho³⁺, and the ET efficiency was 91.1%. Further introduction of Er³⁺ ions induced stronger 2.85 μm emission, and the ET efficiency was improved to 96.2%, ascribed to the establishment of more ET channels and Er³⁺ ions playing the role of ET bridge between Yb³⁺ and Ho³⁺ ions. These results indicate that the Yb³⁺/Er³⁺/Ho³⁺ tridoped tellurite glass could be a hopeful gain medium material for the ～3 μm fiber laser.     

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.     

Warm white-light generation in Ca9MgNa(PO4)7:Sr2+, Mn2+, Ln (Ln=Eu2+, Yb3+, Er3+, Ho3+, and Tm3+) under near-ultraviolet and near-infrared excitation

To obtain warm white-light emission, a series of Ca₉MgNa(PO₄)₇:Sr²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ln (Ln=Eu²⁺, Yb³⁺, Er³⁺, Ho³⁺, and Tm³⁺) phosphors were designed and their photoluminescence properties under near-ultraviolet and near-infrared excitation were studied. For near-ultraviolet excitation, blue-white emission is produced initially in the Eu²⁺ single-doped Ca₉MgNa(PO₄)₇, whose excitation band can well match with the near ultraviolet LED chip. By introducing Sr²⁺ ions into Ca₉MgNa(PO₄)₇:Eu²⁺, the Eu²⁺ emission band beyond 500 nm is enhanced obviously. Correspondingly, the emitting light color is tuned to nearly white. To generate warm white light further, Mn²⁺ is doped into the Ca_8.055MgNa(PO₄)₇:0.045Eu²⁺, 0.9Sr²⁺ and the correlated color temperature is decreased largely. For near-infrared excitation, the green, red, and blue emissions have been obtained in the Yb³⁺-Er³⁺, Yb³⁺-Er³⁺, and Yb³⁺-Er³⁺ co-doped Ca₉MgNa(PO₄)₇ phosphors, respectively. And warm white light is also produced in the Ca₉MgNa(PO₄)₇:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺, Ho³⁺, Tm³⁺ under 980 nm excitation.     

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.     

Phase evolution,structure, and up-/down-conversion luminescence of Li6CaLa2Nb2O12:Yb3+/RE3+ phosphors (RE = Ho,Er, Tm)

Garnet-type Li₆Ca(La_0.97Yb_0.02RE_0.01)₂Nb₂O₁₂ (RE = Ho, Er, Tm) new phosphors were successfully synthesized via solid reaction at 900°C for 5 hours, whose course of phase evolution, macroscopic/local crystal structure and up-/down-conversion (UC/DC) photoluminescence were clarified. Mechanistic study and materials characterization were attained via XRD, Rietveld refinement, DTA/TG, electron microscopy (FE-SEM/TEM), and Raman/reflectance/fluorescence spectroscopies. The phosphors were shown to exhibit UC luminescence dominated by a ~ 553 nm green band (⁵F₄/⁵S₂ → ⁵I₈ transition) for Ho³⁺, a ~ 568 nm green band (⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition) for Er³⁺ and a ~ 806 nm near-infrared band (³H₄ → ³H₆ transition) for Tm³⁺ under 978 nm laser excitation, with CIE chromaticity coordinates of around (0.31, 0.68), (0.38, 0.60) and (0.17, 0.24), respectively. Analysis of the pump-power dependence of UC intensity indicated that all the emissions involve a two-photon mechanism except for the ~ 486 nm blue emission of Tm³⁺ (¹G₄ → ³H₆), which requires a three-photon process. The DC luminescence of these phosphors is featured by dominant bands at ~ 553 nm for Ho³⁺ (green, ⁵F₄/⁵S₂ → ⁵I₈ transition), ~568 nm for Er³⁺ (green, ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition) and ~ 464 nm for Tm³⁺ (blue, ¹D₂ → ³F₄ transition). The UC and DC properties were also comparatively discussed.     

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⁺.     

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.     

High-accuracy dual-mode optical thermometry based on up-conversion luminescence in Er3+/Ho3+-Yb3+ doped LaNbO4 phosphors

Due to the non-contact and high sensitivity, optical thermometry based on rare earth doped phosphors has been paid much attention to. Herein, dual-mode optical thermometers are designed using up-conversion luminescence of Er³⁺/Ho³⁺-Yb³⁺ doped LaNbO₄ phosphors, which were synthesized for the first time by high-temperature solid-state reaction method. The LaNbO₄:1Er³⁺:10Yb³⁺ and LaNbO₄:1Ho³⁺:10Yb³⁺ phosphors exhibit reliable and excellent thermometric performance by combining fluorescence intensity ratio and decay lifetime for self-calibration. Specifically, the maximal relative sensitivities based on fluorescence lifetime were 0.27 %K⁻¹ and 0.33 %K⁻¹ for LaNbO₄:1Er³⁺:10Yb³⁺ and LaNbO₄:1Ho³⁺:10Yb³⁺ phosphors, respectively. The maximal relative sensitivity is 1.12 %K⁻¹ when using intensity ratio between thermal coupling energy levels in LaNbO₄:1Er³⁺:10Yb³⁺ as a detecting signal. Furthermore, the maximal relative sensitivity reaches as high as 0.98 %K⁻¹ when taking advantage of special non-thermal coupling energy levels in LaNbO₄:1Ho³⁺:10Yb³⁺. These results indicate that Er³⁺/Ho³⁺-Yb³⁺ doped LaNbO₄ phosphors possess great potential in self-calibrated optical thermometric techniques.     

Multiphonon assisted upconversion thermal enhancement for optical temperature sensing and high penetration depth

Thermal quenching that the upconversion (UC) luminescence intensities decrease with increasing temperature limits the application of UC luminescence materials in the field of optical temperature sensing. Herein, we report that Tm³⁺/Yb³⁺ doped Gd₂O₃ phosphors achieve thermal enhancement of UC luminescence with the multiphonon assisted process. Significantly, a possible mechanism of Yb³⁺ ions in thermal enhancement and multiphonon assisted UC luminescence process is proposed. Based on the luminescence intensity ratio technique of non-thermally coupled energy levels, research shows that thermal enhancement can effectively improve the optical temperature sensing absolute sensitivity. Owing to the near-infrared excitation and strong near-infrared emission, the UC luminescence of the Gd₂O₃: Tm³⁺/Yb³⁺ phosphors can penetrate 12 mm pork tissue and achieve UC thermal enhancement in 287-314 K after penetrating 6 mm pork tissue, which shows its potential in vivo application. The results not only provide a pathway to realize the thermal enhancement of UC luminescence and the improvement of the temperature sensing sensitivity, but also promote the understanding and utilization of the UC luminescence thermal enhancement.