Synthesis and upconversion emission properties of Pb0·9La0·1TiO3:Yb, Tb inverse opals by sol-gel technique

• Published in: Materials technology (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 28; no. 4; pp. 187 - 191
• Main Authors: Yang, Z W, Yan, D, Song, Z G, Yu, X, Zhou, D C, Yang, Y, Yin, Z Y, Yan, L, Qiu, J B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 01.07.2013
• Subjects: Inverse opal; Photonic band gap; Sol-gel; Upconversion emission
• ISSN: 1066-7857; 1753-5557
• DOI: 10.1179/1753555712Y.0000000046

Inverse opal photonic crystals of Yb 3+ , Tb 3+ codoped Pb 0·9 La 0·1 TiO 3 were synthesised by a sol-gel technique in combination with a self-assembly method. Opal template was self-assembled from suspensions of monodisperse polystyrene microspheres with a mean diameter of 400 nm via a vertical deposition process. After infiltrating the Yb 3+ , Tb 3+ codoped Pb 0·9 La 0·1 TiO 3 sol into the opal template, the polystyrene microspheres were removed by calcination at 670°C, and Yb 3+ , Tb 3+ codoped Pb 0·9 La 0·1 TiO 3 inverse opal photonic crystals were formed. The effect of photonic band gap on upconversion emissions was investigated in the Yb 3+ , Tb 3+ codoped Pb 0·9 La 0·1 TiO 3 inverse opals. Significant suppression of the upconversion emission was detected if the photonic band gap overlapped with the Tb 3+ ions emission band, leading to colour tuneable upconversion photonic crystals with applications in solid state colour displays.