Upconversion emission enhancement of TiO_2 coated lanthanide-doped Y_2O_3 nanoparticles

To investigate the upconversion emission, this paper synthesizes Tm^3＋ and Yb^3＋ codoped Y2O3 nanoparticles, and then coats them with TiO2 shells for different coating times. The spectral results of TiO2 coated nanoparticles indicate that upconversion emission intensities have respectively been enhanced 3.2, 5.4, and 2.2 times for coating times of 30, 60 and 90 min at an excitation power density of 3.21× 10^2 W. cm^-2, in comparison with the emission intensity of non-coated nanoparticles. Therefore it can be concluded that the intense upconversion emission of Y2O3：Tm^3＋, Yb^3＋ nanoparticles can be achieved by coating the particle surfaces with a shell of specific thickness.

Investigations on multi-photon emissions of Nd^3＋-sensitized core/shell nanoparticles

The past few years witnessed extensive emergence of short-wavelength upconversion（UC） emission stimulated photoactivation studies. However, low efficiency of multi-photon process greatly limits further applications. Here, ultraviolet（UV） upconversion emissions originated from multi-photon process of Tm^3＋ were studied with Nd^3＋-sensitized NaGdF4：Yb,Tm@NaYF4：Nd,Yb core/shell nanoparticles. Crucial factors, including the contents of sensitizers Nd^3＋, Yb^3＋ and activator Tm^3＋, as well as the excitation power density were investigated based on the UV emission. Spectral results showed that high contents of Nd^3＋ in shell region up to 50%（molar fraction hereafter） and Yb^3＋ of 10% were essential to mediate the energy transfer via the core/shell interface and facilitate multi-photon UV emissions. Compared with segregated activator and sensitizer, a core/shell strategy with isolated Nd^3＋ in the shell was important for higher UV emission. Although the upconverting process was initiated with Nd^3＋→Yb^3＋, the short-wavelength emissions were intrinsically coming from four- and five-photon process. The optimized nanoparticles were found to be able to manipulate the configuration transition of azobenzene molecules, and it could be promising for near infrared（NIR） triggered optical switches applications.

Color tunable upconversion emission in CeO_2:Yb,Er three-dimensional ordered macroporous materials

The three-dimensional ordered macroporous CeO2：Yb,Er materials were prepared, and the influence of doping concentra- tion of Yb3＋ or Er3＋ ions on upconversion property was investigated. Green and red upconversion emissions were observed under the excitation of 980 nm at room temperature. It was found that the ratio of red to green upconversion emission intensity increased with increasing of concentration of the Yb3＋ or Er3＋ ions in the three-dimensional ordered macroporous CeO2：Yb,Er materials. When the concentration of Yb3＋ was 10 mol%, pure red upconversion emission was obtained. The varied mechanism of ratio of red to green upconversion emission intensity was discussed with the concentration of Yb3＋ or Er3＋ ions.

Construction of self-sensitized LiErF4:0.5%Tm^3+@LiYF4 upconversion nanoprobe for trace water sensing

LiErF4 was commonly used as a dipolar-coupled antiferromagnet,and was rarely considered as a luminescent material.Herein,we achieved the strong red upconversion emission of LiErF4 simply by an inert shell coating,i.e.,LiErF4@LiYF4.Owing to the unique and intrinsic ladder-like energy levels of Er3+ions,this LiErF4 core–shell nanostructures present red emission(~650 nm)under multi-band excitation in the near-infrared(NIR)region(~808,~980,and^1,530 nm).A brighter and monochromic red emission can be further obtained via doping 0.5%Tm3+into the LiErF4 core,i.e.,LiErF4:0.5%Tm3+@LiYF4.The enriched Er3+ions and strong monochromic red emission natures make LiErF4:0.5%Tm3+@LiYF4 nanocrystals very sensitive for trace water probing in organic solvents with detection limit of 30 ppm in acetonitrile,50 ppm in dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO),and 58 ppm in N,N-dimethylformamide(DMF)under excitation of 808 nm.Due to their superior chemical and physical stability,these nanoprobes exhibit excellent antijamming ability and recyclability,offering them suitable for real-time and long-term water monitoring.

A strategy for enhancing luminescence thermometry via Ta^(5+)-triggered K_(0.5)Na_(0.5)NbO_(3):Er^(3+)transparent ceramics

Luminescence thermometry is a reliable approach for remote thermal sensing,and extensive studies have been devoted to designing a luminescence thermometer with heightened thermal sensitivity.Herein,we report a promising luminescence thermometric material,Ta^(5+)-substituted K_(0.5)Na_(0.5)NbO_(3):0.003Er^(3+)transparent ferroelectric ceramics.The temperature sensing sensitivity is significantly improved by adjusting the concentration of Ta^(5+)in the material.Specifically,utilizing the fluorescence intensity ratio from the 2H_(11/2) and 4S_(3/2) thermally coupled states of Er^(3+)as a detecting signal within the temperature range of 273–543 K,an optimal maximum absolute sensitivity of 0.0058 K–1 and relative sensitivity of 0.0158 K–1 are achieved for K_(0.5)Na_(0.5)NbO_(3):0.65Ta^(5+)/0.003Er^(3+).Simultaneously,as the concentration of Ta5+increase,a unique evolution of structural phase transitions is observed from orthorhombic to tetragonal and then to cubic.This is accompanied by an improvement in luminescence temperature sensing properties,and the best sensitivity is demonstrated in the cubic-phase region.Intriguingly,a huge change in infrared luminescence properties as a function of temperature is found around the structure transition temperature of the samples.These results indicate a promising potential for achieving highly sensitive thermometry or monitoring phase structure transitions through luminescence thermometry behavior in the K_(0.5)Na_(0.5)NbO_(3) host.