Down/up conversion in Ln03+-doped YF3 nanocrystals

Abstract

Nanocrystalline Ln3+-doped YF3 phosphors have been synthesized via a facile sonocbemistry-assisted hydrothermal route. YF 3 nanoparticles are demonstrated to be a good host material for different lanthanides. Varying the dopants leads to different optical properties. In particular, the feasibility of inducing red, green, and especially blue emission in the Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped YF 3 sample by up-con version excitation in the near-infrared region is demonstrated. Such unusually strong 411 nm blue up-conversion emission has seldom been reported in other Yb3+/Er3+-doped systems. The up-conversion mechanisms have been analyzed. © 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.