Issue 26, 2024

Modulation of phosphor luminescence performance by high concentration self-sensitization of Er and Ho–Yb ion co-doping under 1550 nm excitation

Abstract

In this paper, upconversion fluoride phosphors NaY1−xyzF4:Erx3+, Hoy3+, Ybz3+ were synthesized by the low-temperature combustion method. And the optimal ratio of lanthanide ion doping in the matrix lattice was determined by the control variable method. First of all, the experimental results show that some Er3+-2 ions may be present in the samples doped with a high concentration of Er3+ ions, and the energy carried by the 1550 nm photons is absorbed by them and transferred to the remaining Er3+-1 ions in the form of sensitizers, which leads to saturation excitation of these Er3+-1 ions. Thus, the upconversion luminescence intensity of the Er3+ ion-doped samples was dramatically increased. Secondly, it was found that the singly doped Ho3+ ion samples also showed significant absorption of 1550 nm photons. In contrast, doping Yb3+ ions in samples singly doped with Ho3+ ions produces the opposite effect of Er3+ ions. The upconversion luminescence intensity of the Ho3+ ion-doped samples is significantly quenched. According to the above experimental phenomena, when a small amount of Ho3+ ions are doped into the matrix lattice of the sample doped with a high concentration of Er3+ ions, firstly, these Ho3+ ions can act as transient energy transition centers in the lattice. Secondly, they can also play the role of another self-absorption activation center in the matrix lattice. The upconversion luminescence performance of the Er3+–Ho3+ ion co-doped samples is significantly enhanced, so the characteristic emissions of Er3+ and Ho3+ ions are highly overlapped in the visible region. A small amount of Yb3+ ions continue to be doped into the Er3+–Ho3+ ion co-doped system, due to the significant quenching effect of the Yb3+ ions on the luminescence of the Ho3+ ions. The Yb3+ ions mainly play the role of reverse energy transfer centers between the Er3+–Yb3+ ions in the crystal lattice. This results in the upconversion luminescence intensity of the triple-doped samples being enhanced significantly by increasing the utilization of the system for the 1550 nm photons. In this paper, the phase composition and morphology of the phosphors were studied by an X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscope. The upconversion luminescence mechanism of Er3+–Ho3+–Yb3+ ion triple-doped samples under 1550 nm excitation and the sensitization interactions between the ions were systematically investigated by upconversion emission spectra and fluorescence lifetime. This work provides a new idea for the design of high-color purity upconversion luminescent phosphors under 1550 nm excitation, and the prepared phosphors can be applied in the field of display lighting.

Graphical abstract: Modulation of phosphor luminescence performance by high concentration self-sensitization of Er and Ho–Yb ion co-doping under 1550 nm excitation

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
04 Mar 2024
Accepted
27 May 2024
First published
30 May 2024

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2024,12, 9784-9794

Modulation of phosphor luminescence performance by high concentration self-sensitization of Er and Ho–Yb ion co-doping under 1550 nm excitation

B. Lei, L. Lu and H. Sun, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2024, 12, 9784 DOI: 10.1039/D4TC00859F

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