Structural, morphological and up-converting luminescence characteristics of nanocrystalline Y₂O₃:Yb/Er powders obtained via spray pyrolysis Articles uri icon

publication date

  • March 2014

start page

  • 3089

end page

  • 3095

issue

  • 2

volume

  • 40

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0272-8842

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1873-3956

abstract

  • Sub-micronic, spherical Y₂O₃:Yb/Er particles comprising clustered nano-units (70 nm) were prepared via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis from pure nitrate precursor solutions with different Yb/Er dopant ratios. The particles were additionally thermally treated at 1100 degrees C for 12, 24 and 48 h. The structural and morphological characteristics of particles were studied by X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and specific surface area (BET) and were further correlated with their advanced optical properties. For the recorded up-conversion emissions, originating from the following Er3+ transitions: [²H(₉/₂) -> ⁴I(₁₅/₂)] in blue (407-420 nm); [²H(₁₁/₂), ⁴S(₃/₂) -> ⁴I(₁₅/₂)] green: 510-590 nm; and [⁴F(₉/₂) -> ⁴I(₁₅/₂)] in red (640-720 nm) spectral region, the corresponding lifetimes were acquired in the wide temperature range (10-300 K). The most intense green up-conversion emission with the long decay of 550 ms is recorded for Y₁.₉₇Yb₀.₀₂Er₀.₀₁O₃ particles thermally treated at 1100 degrees C for 24 h.

keywords

  • up-converter; y₂o₃:yb/er; luminescence; decay time; spray pyrolysis