Up-Conversion Emissions from HfO2: Er3+, Yb3+ Nanoparticles Synthesized by the Hydrothermal Method.

ABSTRACT

Up-conversion emission from HfO2 nanoparticles, as a host lattice, doped with Er3+ and Yb3+ ions and codoped with alkaline cations Li+ and Na+ obtained. The HfO2 nanoparticles, about 80 nm in diameter, were synthesized by the hydrothermal method at 200 °C for 1.3 h, and an additional heat treatment at 1000 °C was necessary to ensure the dopants incorporation into the host lattice. These nanoparticles were studied by means of XRD, Raman Spectroscopy, SEM, EDS, PL, CL, and up-conversion luminescence. First, the doping was performed with Er3+ ions in different percentages. The photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence studies showed an inefficient emission, and only at 7 at % Er3+ ions, the sample presented emissions at 522, 545, and 656 nm corresponding to the transitions of the Er3+ ions. So, codoping was carried out, and HfO2 Er3+/Yb3+ generated an efficient conversion process. The atom percentage of Yb3+ ions was fixed (7 at % Yb3+), and the Er3+ content was varied, showing the highest emission intensity at 3 at % Er3+ ions. Subsequently, the up-conversion emission intensity was optimized by varying the percentage of Yb3+ ions and keeping the Er3+ ion content fixed (3 at %). Adding cations such as Na+ and Li+ in different percentages, a notable improvement of the up-conversion emission intensities in the HfO2 Er3+/Yb3+ nanoparticles was obtained. The up-conversion emission bands observed were located at ∼523 and 544 nm, corresponding to the electronic transitions 2H11/2 → 4I15/2 and 4S3/2 → 4I15/2, respectively. While the bands at ∼652 and 673 nm correspond to the transition 4F9/2 → 4I15/2, respectively. The excitation of these materials with infrared radiation (980 nm) produced noticeable emission bands in the red spectral range, whereas excitation with accelerated electrons (CL) generated prominent bands in the green region.