Upconversion luminescence enhancement and color modulation in Yb3+/Er3+/Ln3+ (Ln = Tm, Ho) tri-doped YF3 microrods

Intelligent regulation of energy transfer process among different rare earth ions doped in the matrix is an effective strategy to realize high-performance upconversion (UC) luminescence. Based on this, wheat ears like Yb 3+ /Er 3+ /(Tm 3+ , Ho 3+ ) triple doped YF 3 microrods were fabricated via hydrothermal method , and the morphology, crystal structure, UC luminescence performance dependent on Tm 3+ /Ho 3+ doping concentrations were studied. By comparing with the Yb 3+ , Er 3+ co-doped YF 3 microrods, the UC luminescence intensity is enhanced in Yb 3+ /Er 3+ /(Tm 3+ , Ho 3+ ) triple doped YF 3 samples due to the cross relaxation processes between Er 3+ and Tm 3+ /Ho 3+ . Moreover, red emission is enhanced more significantly than green emission in YF 3 : Yb 3+ , Er 3+ , Tm 3+ , which is contrary to that in YF 3 : Yb 3+ , Er 3+ , Ho 3+ . The possible energy transfer upconversion mechanism involved is discussed in detail. Meanwhile, an adjustable emission color is easy to achieve via altering the doped Er 3+ /Tm 3+ /Ho 3+ ion concentration . These studies on the UC luminescence enhancement mechanism of Yb 3+ /Er 3+ /(Tm 3+ , Ho 3+ ) triple doped YF 3 microrods are expected to provide a reference for the development of high-efficiency luminescent materials .