Upconversion luminescence and optical thermometry properties of transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics embedded with Ba4Y3F17: Yb3+, Er3+ nanocrystals

Abstract

Transparent glass ceramics incorporated with Ba₄Y₃F₁₇: Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ nanoparticles are successfully elaborated through melt-quenching method. The crystal structure and morphology of Ba₄Y₃F₁₇ nanocrystals were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, selected-area electron diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Compared to their glass counterpart, the pronounced enhancement of upconversion emission confirmed the incorporation of Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ into precipitated Ba₄Y₃F₁₇ nanocrystals. In addition, longer luminescence lifetimes as well as an increased rise time in the decay curve were observed. Furthermore, the dependence of upconversion luminescence behaviors on temperature was systemically investigated through the fluorescence intensity ratio technique under an excitation of 980 nm. The FIR of the two thermally coupled energy levels of Er³⁺ ion was validated to be suitable for their use as temperature probes. The maximum thermal sensitivity was approximately 1.13% K⁻¹ at 300 K. Besides, the laser-induced thermal effect was demonstrated to be imperceptible in the glass ceramic sample. The results imply that the Yb³⁺–Er³⁺-codoped Ba₄Y₃F₁₇ glass ceramics can be used as potential candidates for temperature sensing.