Efficient spectral conversion from visible to near-infrared in transparent glass ceramics containing Ce3+–Yb3+ codoped Y3Al5O12 nanocrystals

Abstract

Transparent glass ceramics containing Ce³⁺–Yb³⁺ codoped Y₃Al₅O₁₂ nanocrystals were prepared, and their microstructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Intense near-infrared emission at around 1000 nm, attributed to the ²F_5/2 → ²F_7/2 transition of Yb³⁺, was observed upon excitation at 452 nm. Efficient energy transfer from Ce³⁺ ions to Yb³⁺ ions was confirmed by the luminescence spectrum and fluorescent lifetime measurements; the mechanism was investigated and demonstrated to be a single-photon process rather than a two-photon process. Greatly enhanced near-infrared emission was achieved from the glass ceramics excited by simulated sunlight from 400 to 800 nm compared with that from as-prepared glass. These results demonstrate that the glass ceramics are promising materials for spectral conversion from visible sunlight to near-infrared emission and may have potential applications as spectral convertors to enhance the photoelectric conversion efficiency of c-Si solar cells.