Efficient visible upconversion luminescence in Er3+ and Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped Y2O3 phosphors obtained by solution combustion reaction

Temperature sensing using bulk and nanoparticles of Ca0.79Er0.01Yb0.2MoO4 phosphor

Optical temperature sensing is widely realized by using upconversion (UC) emission in lanthanide-doped phosphors. There are so many various parameters that are responsible for UC intensity of the phosphor like particle shape and size, type of symmetry that exist at the site position, distribution of lanthanide ions in the phosphor, and so on. However, a comparative study of the bulk and nanostructure on the temperature sensing ability of such phosphor is rare. In the present work, we have taken Ca0.79Er0.01Yb0.2MoO4 phosphors as a model system and synthesized its bulk (via solid-state reaction method, named SCEY) and nanostructures (via solution combustion route, named CCEY). We further studied their phase, crystal structure, phonon frequency, optical excitation, and emission (upconversion & downshifting) properties. Finally, the optical temperature sensing behavior of SCEY and CCEY, in the range 305 K - 573 K, have been compared. The maximum relative sensitivity of the phosphor SCEY and CCEY are 0.0061 K-1 at 305 K and 0.0094 K-1 at 299 K, respectively, while, the maximum absolute sensitivities are 0.0150 K-1 at 348 K, and 0.0170 K-1 at 398 K, respectively. We thus conclude that the temperature sensing ability of nanoparticle-based Ca0.79Er0.01Yb0.2MoO4 phosphor is better compared to its bulk phosphor.

Observation of Stark splitting in micro upconversion photoluminescence spectra of polycrystalline Ln3+ doped Y2O3microspheres

In this study, Yb³⁺-Er³⁺-Tm³⁺doped Y₂O₃microspheres were synthesized using the solvothermal method. Structural, morphological, and elemental analysis was done using XRD, FESEM, and EDX characterization techniques. The optical properties of the samples were determined using UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy and upconversion photoluminescence measurements. The anti-Stokes emission peaks from these polycrystalline phosphor microspheres were obtained using a commercial micro-photoluminescence setup equipped with a 976 nm laser as an excitation source at room temperature. It was compared with the emission spectra taken from a 2-3 mm spot size of 976 nm laser irradiation on the same sample. The micro-emission spectra were analyzed based on possible Stark splitting energy level transitions between the^2S+1L_Jmanifolds of Er³⁺and Tm³⁺ions. A detailed mechanism is outlined for emission in the entire visible region under 976 nm laser excitation.

Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity of NaYF4:(Yb,Er)-CuO/TiO2 Composite

TiO2 photocatalysts are limited to ultraviolet light photo-activation, however, by coupling with NaYF4:(Yb,Er) they can utilize visible light activation, but with low efficiencies. In order to enhance visible light photo-activity, CuO nanoparticles were coupled with NaYF4:(Yb,Er) by mechanical ball-milling and coated with TiO2-sol. The coupling of CuO nanoparticles with NaYF4:(Yb,Er)/TiO2 caused the formation of a NaYF4:(Yb,Er)-CuO/TiO2 composite capable of visible absorption with a remarkably reduced band gap of ~2.5 eV. The NaYF4:(Yb,Er)-CuO/TiO2 composite in H2O2 showed the most efficient methylene blue (MB) degradation efficiency of more than 99.5% after exposure to visible light.

Dualistic temperature sensing in Er3+/Yb3+ doped CaMoO4 upconversion phosphor

Temperature sensing performance of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ doped CaMoO₄ phosphor prepared via polyol method is reported herein. The X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy are done to confirm the phase, structure and purity of the synthesized phosphor. The infrared to green upconversion emission is investigated using 980nm diode laser excitation along with its dependence on input pump power and external temperature. The temperature dependent fluorescence intensity ratio of two upconversion emission bands assigned to ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2 (530nm) and ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 (552nm) transitions has shown two distinct slopes in the studied temperature range - 300 to 760K and therefore, dual nature of temperature sensitivity is observed in this phosphor. This phenomenon in rare earth doped materials is either scarcely reported or overlooked. The material has shown higher sensitivity in the high temperature region (535K<T<760K) with a maximum of 7.21×10^-3K^-1 at 535K. The results indicate potential of CaMoO₄: Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ phosphor in high temperature thermometry.

Upconverting/magnetic: Gd2O3:(Er3+,Yb3+,Zn2+) nanoparticles for biological applications: effect of Zn2+ doping

Upconverting/paramagnetic Gd₂O₃:1% Er³⁺, 18% Yb³⁺ with Zn²⁺ nanoparticles (NPs) permits one to perform optical imaging.