Tunable phase and upconverting luminescence of Gd3+ co-doped NaErF4:Yb3+ nanostructures. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xie, Wanying; An, Xitao; Chen, Li; Li, Jing; Leng, Jing; Lǚ, Wei; Zhang, Ligong; Luo, Yongshi
• Is Part Of: Materials research bulletin. Volume 95(2017)
• Page Start: 509
• Page End: 514
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Upconversion luminescence -- NaErF4:Yb3+ nanoparticles and nanorods -- Transient spectroscopy -- Gd3+-codoping; Materials -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Crystal growth; Materials; Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2017.08.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-5408

Abstract

Graphical abstract: The phase, morphology and emission efficiency of upconverting NaErF4 :Yb 3+ nanostructures are simultaneously tuned by controlling the reaction temperatures and Gd 3+ doping contents. The higher synthesis temperature leads to the morphology evolution from nanoparticles to nanorods. The integrated red to green intensity ratio is much improved for Gd 3+ codoping samples. The radiative/non-radiative transition probabilities of Er 3+ different emission states could be affected by Gd 3+ doping in different ways as for nanoparticles and nanorods, respectively. NaErF4 :Yb 3+, Gd 3+ nanosctructures are expected to have promising applications in multimodal bioimaging for deeper tissue penetration. Highlights: Successful manipulation of phase/morphology and UCL by altering the Gd3+ doping contents and the reaction temperature. Transient spectroscopic investigation to clarify the insight mechanism of the luminescence enhancement. Nonradiative/radiative transition probability modulation via Gd3 + -codoping involved in the potent upconverting photophysics mechanism. Abstract: Upconverting NaErF4 :Yb 3+, Gd 3+ nanoparticles (NPs) and nanorods (NRs) with improved red emission have been successfully achieved via a facile hydrothermal route using oleic acid as the assistant surfactant. The crystalline phase, morphology even the size are simultaneously tuned by controlling the reaction temperatures and Gd 3+ doping contents. The higher synthesis temperature leads to the morphology evolution from NPs to NRs. The integrated intensity ratio of red to green emissions is much improved for Gd 3+ codoping nanostructures. The microstructure characterizations along with the steady and transient spectroscopy are performed to better understand the underlying mechanisms of phase evolution and emission enhancement. For the different states of Er 3+, i.e. 2 H11/2 and 4 F9/2, the radiative/non-radiative transition probabilities could be affected by Gd 3+ doping in different ways as for NPs and NRs, based on the lifetime and emission intensity data. NaErF4 :Yb 3+, Gd 3+ nanosctructures are expected to have promising applications in multimodal bioimaging for deeper tissue penetration.