Preparation and characterization of dual-mode luminescence NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+@CuInS2/ZnS hybrid nanostructures

A simple sol-gel method was used to synthesize a hybrid nanostructure which can achieve the switching of dual-modal luminescence of NaYF 4 :Yb 3+ ,Er 3+ @CuInS 2 /ZnS. With 980 nm excitation, the nanoparticles exhibit red emissions, and exhibit green-yellow to red emissions under 365 nm excitation. It is noticed that the CuInS 2 /ZnS acts as a sub-energy level to mediate energy transfer between the rare earth ions of the NaYF 4 and CuInS 2 /ZnS QDs. We found that the dual-modal luminescent properties of the synthesized hybrid nanomaterials can be potentially applied in the field of anti-counterfeiting.