Preparation, structure and up-conversion luminescence properties of novel cryolite K3YF6:Er3+, Yb3+

Abstract

Cryolite is a suitable host for up-conversion luminescent materials due to its low phonon energy and good optical transparency. In this work, a novel up-conversion material K₃YF₆:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ with a cryolite structure was prepared successfully by a solid state method. The crystal structure, morphology, composition and up-conversion luminescence properties of the as-prepared sample were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence spectrometer in detail. K₃YF₆:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ has a cryolite structure. Under 980 nm excitation, the as-prepared sample can generate slight green emission at 524 and 546 nm (attributed to ²H_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺) and strong red emission at 661 and 672 nm (corresponding to ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition, ⁴I_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺). All the green and red up-conversion emission of K₃YF₆:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ transfer and electronic transition process of the red and green light the sample emitted, the possible luminescence mechanism is discussed in this paper.