Preparation, structure and up-conversion luminescence properties of novel cryolite K ₃YF ₆:Er ³⁺, Yb ³⁺

Abstract

Cryolite is a suitable host for up-conversion luminescent materials due to its low phonon energy and good optical transparency. In this work, a novel up-conversion material K ₃YF ₆:Yb ³⁺, Er ³⁺ with a cryolite structure was prepared successfully by a solid state method. The crystal structure, morphology, composition and up-conversion luminescence properties of the as-prepared sample were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence spectrometer in detail. K ₃YF ₆:Er ³⁺, Yb ³⁺ has a cryolite structure. Under 980 nm excitation, the as-prepared sample can generate slight green emission at 524 and 546 nm (attributed to ²H _11/2 → ⁴I _15/2 transition, ⁴S _3/2→ ⁴I _15/2 transition of Er ³⁺) and strong red emission at 661 and 672 nm (corresponding to ⁴F _9/2 → ⁴I _15/2 transition, ⁴I _9/2 → ⁴I _15/2 transition of Er ³⁺). All the green and red up-conversion emission of K ₃YF ₆:Er ³⁺, Yb ³⁺ transfer and electronic transition process of the red and green light the sample emitted, the possible luminescence mechanism is discussed in this paper.

Abstract

Single-phase up-conversion luminescent materials K ₃YF ₆:Er ³⁺, Yb ³⁺ with cryolite structure were obtained for the first time.