Yb3+/Er3+ codoped Gd2MoO6 upconversion nanocrystals were synthesized via the traditional citric-assisted sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and upconversion emission spectroscopy were employed to characterize the final products. Under the irradiation of 980 nm light, the synthesized nanocrystals emitted visible green and red upconversion emissions arising from the intra-4f transitions of Er3+ ions. The upconversion emission intensities were found to be dependent on the dopant concentration and the emission colour gradually changed from green to yellow, and finally to red on elevating the Yb3+ doping concentration. The involved upconversion luminescence mechanism was systematically studied and the steady-state rate expressions were applied to analyze the influence of energy back transfer on the multicolour upconversion emissions. Moreover, the temperature dependent emission intensity ratio of the (2H11/2, 4S3/2) thermally coupled levels of the Er3+ ion in the range of 303–703 K was recorded to study the optical thermometric properties of the resultant nanocrystals. The maximum sensor sensitivity of the Yb3+/Er3+ codoped Gd2MoO6 nanocrystals was determined to be as high as 0.0053 K−1 at 350 K. In addition, the temperature sensing performance of the synthesized compounds was found to be greatly dependent on the Yb3+ doping concentration. These results reveal that the Yb3+/Er3+ codoped Gd2MoO6 nanocrystals with high sensor sensitivity and wide operation range are suitable for non-contact optical thermometry.
Li Zhiying,Li Peng,Guo Linna,Zhang Zongxue,Gao Minghuan,Zhang Yuansen,Li Tiesheng
A series of RE 2 MoO 6 : 2%Er 3+ , 15%Yb 3+ (RE = Y, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, and Lu) nanoparticles were prepared by citric acid-assisted sol–gel method.
The upconversion luminescence (UCL) properties of block-shaped Gd 2 MoO 6 : 2%Er 3+ , 15%Yb 3+ were the best among the materials obtained. In addition, the UCL properties of the investigated systems by two strategies could be further improved. Modulation of the crystal structure could be achieved by the substitution of rare earth ions in matrix lattice. The UC emission intensity of Gd 2 MoO 6 doped with Y 3+ (40%) was enhanced about 2.27 (2.52) more times than that of Y 3+ -absent samples excited at 980 nm (1550 nm). Secondly, dual wavelength was used as the excitation wavelength simultaneously: The green UCL intensity of RE 2 MoO 6 : 2%Er 3+ , 15%Yb 3+ was almost not changed, while the red UCL intensity was enhanced compared to the sum of the red UCL intensities excited by 980 nm and 1550 nm, respectively. The UCL mechanism excited by dual wavelength was investigated in detail, in which the two co-operative excitation processes were presented.