Upconversion fluorescence modulation of CaTiO3:Yb3+/ Er3+ nanocubes via Zn2+ introduction

Abstract:

rials, CaTiO3:Yb3+/Er3+/Zn2+ nanocubes with uniform size were prepared by solvothermal method in this paper. They were respectively characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and their fluorescence lifetimes. The results show that the average size of the nanocubes is about 550 nm×650 nm×850 nm with good upconversion luminescence (UCL) properties. Under 980 nm laser excitation, the effects of the ratio between activator Er3+ and sensitizer Yb3+ and Zn2+ doping on the upconversion fluorescence properties were investigated, and the optimal ion ratio was obtained. The results of steady-state spectra show that the strongest fluorescence intensity of CaTiO3:Yb3+/Er3+ was obtained with the addition of 10 mol% Zn2+ at a Yb3+/Er3+ molar doping ratio of 3:0.3, which was attributed to the crystal field asymmetry generated by the introduction of Zn2+ ions. The energy transfer and upconversion mechanism between Yb3+ and Er3+ ions in CaTiO3 nanocubes were investigated by analyzing the upconversion fluorescence kinetics.