Preparation and Properties of Up-Conversion Luminescent NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ Ceramics

Abstract:

A series of ytterbium and erbium co-doped sodium yttrium fluoride (NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺) ceramics have been successfully prepared by pressureless sintering. The ceramic samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), density and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The results showed that the phases of the NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ ceramic samples transformed when the sintering temperature was changed. The ceramic samples sintered below 600 ^oC contained both cubic α-NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ and hexagonal β-NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺. The sample sintered at 600^oC is the pure hexagonal β-NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺. When the sintering temperature is above 600 ^oC, the ceramic samples present the α-NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ again. The fluorescence intensity increased firstly and then decreased with the sintering temperature increasing. The luminous intensity of the sample sintered at 600 ^oC was the highest. The densities of as-prepared ceramic sample increased with the sintering temperature rising. The samples sintered at 600 ^oC with different holding time possessed the similar crystal phases (β-NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺) and fluorescence intensity. As the holding time increased, the densities of the samples increased. To obtain more dense ceramics, the ceramics using β-NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ powders were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The maximum relative density reached 97%.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 848)
• Pages: 262-271
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.848.262
• Online since: March 2016
• Authors: Wen Yan Cheng, Shi Jia Gu, Bei Ying Zhou, Lian Jun Wang*, Wei Luo, Wan Jiang
• Keywords: Ceramic, Er³⁺, Fluorescence, NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Spark Plasma Sintering, Up-Conversion

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