Microstructure investigation and multicolor upconversion in Yb3+/Ln3+(Ln=Er/Tm/Ho) ions doped α-Sialon

Publication date: Available online 3 October 2019Source: Progress in Natural Science: Materials InternationalAuthor(s): Sang Hoon Jeong, Yuwaraj K. Kshetri, Seung Ho Kim, Sung Hun Cho, Soo W. LeeAbstractYb3+/Ln3+(Ln = Er/Tm/Ho)-α-sialon ceramics were fabricated by hot press sintering technique. Their microstructure and luminescent properties were studied by XRD, EDS, HRTEM and photoluminescence measurements. The results showed that the sintered ceramics consisted of α-Sialon with a trace amount of β-Sialon phase. The frequency upconversion and downconversion properties of Yb3+/Ln3+(Ln = Er/Tm/Ho)-α-Sialon ceramics were investigated under 980 nm low-power excitation. The different concentrations of Yb3+/Ln3+(Ln = Er/Tm/Ho) produced multicolor emissions characteristics of each Ln3+ ion as a result of the energy transfer from Yb3+ to Er3+, Tm3+ and Ho3+ ions. The EDS spectra measurements and mappings showed that the Ln3+ ions were well incorporated in the α-Sialon matrix. Temporal evolution of the emission decay behavior has been investigated to understand the energy transfer mechanism.Graphical abstract
Source: Progress in Natural Science: Materials International - Category: Materials Science Source Type: research