Synthesis, luminescence properties, and growth mechanisms of YF 3 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ nanoplates

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. C, Materials for optical and electronic devices Vol. 3; no. 39; pp. 10107 - 10113
• Main Authors: Murali, G., Lee, Byeong Hoon, Mishra, R. K., Lee, Jae Myeong, Nam, Sang-Hwan, Suh, Yung Doug, Lim, Dong-Kwon, Lee, Joong Hee, Lee, Seung Hee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• ISSN: 2050-7526; 2050-7534
• DOI: 10.1039/C5TC02034D

Anisotropically structured upconversion nanocrystals capable of exhibiting bright upconversion emission properties are a promising new class of high performance optical materials. In this study, we investigate a facile synthetic method for the new nanoplate structure of YF 3 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ with enhanced luminescence intensity. The shape of YF 3 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ nanocrystals can be controlled by changing the synthesis conditions of the NaOH concentration, reaction time, and surfactant. The concentration of NaOH determines the final structure of YF 3 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ . By increasing the NaOH concentration from 0.25 mmol to 2.5 mmol, YF 3 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ nanoplates transform into NaYF 4 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ nanoparticles; in the absence of NaOH, the nanoplate structure of YF 3 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ changes to particles. The YF 3 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ nanoplates show luminescence efficiency much greater than that of the spherical YF 3 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ nanocrystals.