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Title: Investigation of upconversion and downconversion fluorescence emissions from β-NaLn1F{sub 4}:Yb{sup 3+}, Ln2{sup 3+} (Ln1 = Y, Lu; Ln2 = Er, Ho, Tm, Eu) hexagonal disk system

Journal Article · · Materials Research Bulletin
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  1. College of Physics and Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062 (China)

Graphical abstract: Well-defined β-NaLn1F4:Yb{sup 3+}, Ln2{sup 3+} (Ln1 = Y, Lu; Ln2 = Er, Ho, Tm, Eu) hexagonal thin disks with a simple and user-friendly hydrothermal approach by using sodium citrate as a shape modifier. Much stronger UC and DC fluorescence emissions were observed in NaLuF{sub 4}-based hexagonal disks than that for NaYF{sub 4} counterparts. The strength of hypersensitive transitions is mainly attributed to the decrease of local symmetry Ln-F bond lengths in β-NaLuF{sub 4}. It will show a great potential in improving near-infrared conversion efficiency of silicon solar cells and removable sub-micro luminescent platforms. - Highlights: • Regular hexagonal disks (NaLnF{sub 4}) were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. • Much stronger UC and DC emissions were observed in NaLuF{sub 4}-based disks. • Stronger fluorescence emissions in NaLuF{sub 4}-based disks were explained reasonably. • NaLuF{sub 4}-based disks can act as a removable luminescent platform for nano-assembly. • NaLuF{sub 4}-based disks can be applied in improving efficiency of solar cells. - Abstract: Uniform hexagonal β-NaLn1F{sub 4}:Yb{sup 3+}, Ln2{sup 3+} (Ln1 = Y, Lu; Ln2 = Er, Ho, Tm, Eu) disks were synthesized with hydrothermal method in which the sodium citrate was used as a shape modifier. The experimental observation indicated that both upconversion and downconversion fluorescence emissions were significantly stronger in β-NaLuF{sub 4} than that for β-NaYF{sub 4}. It was found that the stronger hypersensitive transitions were mainly due to the increase of J–O parameter (Ω{sub 2}) in β-NaLuF{sub 4} host, while the stronger insensitive transitions were mainly caused by the stronger overlap of electron cloud that was induced by the decrease of Ln-F bond lengths. Additionally, the larger absorption strength in the near-infrared region is another important factor for the stronger fluorescence emissions. The current research has a great potential in improving near-infrared conversion efficiency of silicon solar cells.

OSTI ID:
22341792
Journal Information:
Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 48, Issue 9; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0025-5408
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English