Content area
Abstract
Efficient upconversion (UC) microcrystals are important for the development of novel photonic markers, solid-state lasers, displays, etc. Herein, we report on greatly enhanced UC emission in β-NaYF4:20Yb,2Er microcrystals via a simple ion-exchange reaction. The ion exchange accompanying with an ionic redistribution process is demonstrated. By simply controlling the amount of NaF (0–8.0 mmol), reaction temperature (140–220 °C), and duration (0–144 h), enormous enhancement of the UC emission up to ~4200 times is obtained compared with the pre-synthesized β-NaYF4:20Yb,2Er microcrystals. The decrease of body defects and change of local structure around lanthanide may account for the UC emission enhancement. This method may apply to other UC materials to increase the UC emission efficiency.
Details
1 Chinese Academy of Sciences, Key Laboratory of Materials for High Power Laser, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China (GRID:grid.9227.e) (ISNI:0000000119573309); University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China (GRID:grid.410726.6) (ISNI:0000000417978419)
2 Chinese Academy of Sciences, Key Laboratory of Materials for High Power Laser, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China (GRID:grid.9227.e) (ISNI:0000000119573309)
3 Soochow University, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China (GRID:grid.263761.7) (ISNI:0000000101980694)