Simultaneous size and luminescence control of KZnF3:Yb3+/Er3+ nanoparticles by incorporation of Mn2+

A strategy is demonstrated for simultaneous size and color tuning of KZnF 3 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ nanocrystals through transition metal Mn 2+ doping. The experimental results indicate that the introduction of Mn 2+ into the KZnF 3 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ reaction system facilitates the decrease of the crystal size. Moreover, in the case of a high concentration of Mn 2+ doping, the downshifting (DS) and upconversion (UC) luminescence all show a single red band emission. In this work, we mainly investigate the DS and UC energy transfer process among Mn 2+ /Yb 3+ /Er 3+ in KZnF 3 nanocrystals by the detection and analysis of the absorption, excitation, emission, and transient fluorescence spectra. The results show that both Mn 2+ and Yb 3+ ions can decrease the green emission while improving the red luminescence of Er 3+ . This DS and UC single red color tuning is significant for the application of nanoparticles in light conversion, biological labeling, or plant photosynthesis.