A study on up-conversion and energy transfer kinetics of KGdF4:Yb3+/Er3+ nanophosphors

Luminescence Studies on Dy3+ Doped Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate (CABS) Glasses for White Light Emission and Applications in w-LEDs

Dy3+ doped calcium aluminum borosilicate (CABS) glasses have been synthesized via quick melt quench technique. CABS: xDy3+ glasses (x = 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 mol%) were subjected to various morphological and photoluminescence studies. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were conducted to study the structural and bonding nature of the undoped glass. The excitation spectra of Dy3+ doped CABS glasses under 574 nm emission show many sharp peaks amongst which the transition from 6H15/2 → 6P7/2 (351 nm) had the highest intensity. Under 351 nm excitation, glasses exhibit sharp peaks in the blue, yellow and red regions corresponding to the transitions 4F9/2 → 6H15/2, 6H13/2, 6H11/2 and 6H9/2 respectively. The dipole-dipole nature of the interaction between the Dy3+ ions is confirmed via Dexter theory and Inokuti-Hirayama (I-H) model. CIE coordinates estimated from the emission profiles of these glasses under 351 nm excitation fall in the white region. Considering that these glasses exhibit sharp visible emission under UV excitation, have stable yellow to blue (Y/B) ratios and fast decays with intense energy transfers, we propose to utilise these glasses for white light generation and other white light LED (w-LED) and solid-state lighting (SSL) applications.

Recent progress in upconversion nanomaterials for emerging optical biological applications

The recent advances of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have made them the ideal "partner" for a variety of biological applications. In this review, we describe the emerging biological optical applications of UCNPs, focus on their potential therapeutic advantages. Firstly, we briefly review the development and mechanisms of upconversion luminescence, including organic and inorganic UCNPs. Next, in the section on UCNPs for imaging and detection, we list the development of UCNPs in visualization, temperature sensing, and detection. In the section on therapy, recent results are described concerning optogenetics and neurotherapy. Tumor therapy is another major part of this section, including the synergistic application of phototherapy such as photoimmunotherapy. In a special section, we briefly cover the integration of UCNPs in therapeutics. Finally, we present our understanding of the limitations and prospects of applications of UCNPs in biological fields, hoping to provide a more comprehensive understanding of UCNPs and attract more attention.

Formation and enhancement of negative thermal quenching in emission of KGdF4:Eu3+, Yb3+@GQDs

In order to obtain a red emitting phosphor with good luminescence thermal stability, a series of KGdF₄:Eu³⁺, Yb³⁺@GQD (GQD: Cl-containing graphene quantum dots) red emitting phosphors have been synthesized by the co-precipitation method, and their luminescence thermal properties have also been studied in detail. It is intriguing that the negative thermal quenching (NTQ) effect is induced by the double doping of Yb³⁺, and the effect is further enhanced by GQD coating. The strongest integrated PL intensities of the optimal double doped sample and the optimal GQD-coated sample are at 130 and 170 °C, in which the corresponding integrated PL intensities are presented as 117.7 and 156.5% of the initial value at 30 °C, respectively. The NTQ effect makes the optimal GQD coated sample have good luminescent thermal stability, so it can be applied for high-power WLEDs. A mechanism of energy conversion from heat to light is discussed and suggested for the effect.

The optimal sample exhibits a high luminescence thermal stability, due to a large negative thermal quenching. The mechanism of the negative thermal quenching is suggested as the conversion of thermal energy into light energy.