Aerosol synthesis of TiO2:Er3+/Yb3+ submicron-sized spherical particles and upconversion optimization for application as anti-counterfeiting materials

Comprehensive advances in the synthesis, fluorescence mechanism and multifunctional applications of red-emitting carbon nanomaterials

Red emitting fluorescent carbon nanomaterials have drawn significant scientific interest in recent years due to their high quantum yield, water-dispersibility, photostability, biocompatibility, ease of surface functionalization, low cost and eco-friendliness. The red emissive characteristics of fluorescent carbon nanomaterials generally depend on the carbon source, reaction time, synthetic approach/methodology, surface functional groups, average size, and other reaction environments, which directly or indirectly help to achieve red emission. The importance of several factors to achieve red fluorescent carbon nanomaterials is highlighted in this review. Numerous plausible theories have been explained in detail to understand the origin of red fluorescence and tunable emission in these carbon-based nanostructures. The above advantages and fluorescence in the red region make them a potential candidate for multifunctional applications in various current fields. Therefore, this review focused on the recent advances in the synthesis approach, mechanism of fluorescence, and electronic and optical properties of red-emitting fluorescent carbon nanomaterials. This review also explains the several innovative applications of red-emitting fluorescent carbon nanomaterials such as biomedicine, light-emitting devices, sensing, photocatalysis, energy, anticounterfeiting, fluorescent silk, artificial photosynthesis, etc. It is hoped that by choosing appropriate methods, the present review can inspire and guide future research on the design of red emissive fluorescent carbon nanomaterials for potential advancements in multifunctional applications.

Study on the Up-Conversion Luminescence and Conductivity Behavior of p-Type NiO:Yb,Er Thin Films

In this work, Li⁺-doped NiO:Yb,Er thin films are obtained via pulsed laser deposition. It was found that the films exhibit high transparency in the visible region and clearly red up-conversion luminescence under 980 nm excitation. Doping with Li⁺ can adjust the up-conversion emission intensity of the films. Moreover, all the films have p-type conductivity with a single activation energy of around 360 meV. The sheet resistivity of the films can be improved through changing the doping concentration of Li⁺ ions. Taken together, 5% is the best doping concentration for the potential application of this kind of film.

Near-infrared to visible and ultraviolet upconversion in TiO2 thin films modified with Er and Yb

Upconversion as a modification strategy to enhance the utilization of sunlight in titanium dioxide photoanodes with an internal upconverter was investigated. TiO₂ thin films containing an Er activator and Yb sensitizer were deposited in the magnetron sputtering process on conducting glass, amorphous silica, and silicon. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy allowed assessment of the thin film composition, structure, and microstructure. Optical and photoluminescence properties were measured by means of spectrophotometry and spectrofluorometry. Changing the content of Er³⁺ (1, 2, 10 at%) and Yb³⁺ (1, 10 at%) ions allowed us to achieve thin film upconverters with a crystallized and amorphous host. Upon 980 nm laser excitation Er³⁺ exhibits upconversion with the main emission in green (²H_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2, λ _em ≈ 525 nm) and weak emission in red (⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2, λ _em ≈ 660 nm). For a thin film with a higher ytterbium content (10 at%) a significant increase in red emission and upconversion from NIR to UV was observed. The average decay times of green emission for TiO₂:Er and TiO₂:Er,Yb thin films were calculated based on time-resolved emission measurements.

Effect of calcination temperature and Ti substitution on optical properties of (Fe,Cr)2O3 cool black pigment prepared by spray pyrolysis

Near-infrared (NIR) reflective Fe1.5Cr0.5O3 black pigments were synthesized by spray pyrolysis, and the effect of calcination temperature and Ti substitution on the optical properties were investigated. As the calcination temperature increased from 500 °C to 800 °C, the prepared Fe1.5Cr0.5O3 powder had α-Fe2O3 phase without any impurities and the NIR reflectance steadily increased. On the otherhand, the smallest chroma value was observed at 700 °C. Therefore, in terms of achieving high NIR reflectance with keeping good blackness, the optimal calcination temperature was determined to be 700 °C. Substitution of Ti corresponding to 5-15% of the total metal ions in Fe1.5Cr0.5O3 largely affected the NIR reflectance and chroma value, but there was no significant change in the optical band gap. Ti substitution of 5 mol% could further improve the NIR reflectance of the Fe1.5Cr0.5 black pigment without significant loss of blackness, but above 10% or higher the NIR reflectance largely decreased due to the loss of crystallinity. Resultantly, Fe1.4Cr0.5Ti0.1O3+δ (5% Ti substituted black pigment) was confirmed to have improved heat-shielding performance compared to Fe1.5Cr0.5O3 in a temperature rise test under near-infrared illumination.