Preparation and upconversion luminescence of YVO<Subscript>4</Subscript>:Er<Subscript>3+</Subscript>, Yb<Subscript>3+</Subscript>

YVO₄:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ with varying Yb³⁺ concentrations were prepared by a precipitation method. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) show that all the samples have a tetragonal zircon structure; the calculated average crystallite sizes are in the range of 14–22 nm. The lattice constants and cell volume of the samples decrease slightly with the increase in Yb³⁺ concentration. The upconversion luminescence spectra of all the samples were studied under 980 nm laser excitation. The strong green emission is observed, which is attributed to the ²H_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, and the red emission peaks in 650–675 nm can be ignored. The emission intensity for the sample depends on the Yb³⁺ concentration. These results reveal that the upconversion processes of YVO₄:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ are related to the structure and the doping Yb³⁺ concentration of the sample.     

Preparation of Gd2O3:Eu3+ downconversion luminescent material and its application in dye-sensitized solar cells

Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ downconversion luminescent powder was prepared using the homogeneous precipitation method. Its optical properties were analyzed and it was introduced into a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). As a luminescence medium, Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ improved light harvesting via conversion luminescence and increased the photocurrent of the DSSC. As a p-type dopant insulating rare earth oxides form an energy barrier, and the Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ elevated the energy level of the oxide film and increased the photovoltage. The photoelectric conversion efficiency for a DSSC with Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ doping (6:100) reached 7.01%, which was 17.4% higher than the photoelectrical conversion efficiency of a DSSC without Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ doping.     

白光发射稀土掺杂SrF2上转换荧光粉的研究

通过高温固相法合成了Sr_(0.89)Yb_(0.1)Er_(0.01)F_2和Sr_(0.8495)Yb_(0.15)Tm_(0.005)F_2高亮度上转换荧光粉.在980 nm激光激发下,Sr_(0.89)Yb_(0.1)Er_(0.01)F)2样品发出红色和绿色光(黄绿光),Sr0.8495Yb0.15Tm0.005F2样品发出蓝色光.二者发射的荧光强度均高于商用上转换荧光粉.将以上两种上转换荧光粉按一定比例混合后可以得到不同色温的白光发射荧光材料.该系列材料在防伪、三维显示及白光照明等领域具有潜在应用价值.     

Up-conversion luminescence of Er^3＋ doped and Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ co-doped YTaO4

The synthesis and up-conversion luminescent properties of YTaO4：Er^3＋ and YTaO4：Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ are reported for the first time. According to the measurement results of up-conversion spectra, Yb^3＋ co-doping can remarkably enhance the green （^2H11/2/^4S3/2→^4I15/2） and red （^4F9/2→^4I15/2） emissions, but depress the infrared emission （^4I9/2→^4I15/2）. With the increase of the Yb^3＋ concentration, the intensity of green emission increases, after that, when the Yb^3＋ concentration increases continuously, the intensity of green emission decreases, while those of the red and infrared emissions increase and decrease alternately. In addition, the up-conversion mechanisms of Er^3＋ doped and Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ co-doped YTaO4 are also discussed. It is found that the transform of up-conversion mechanism from two-step energy transfer to cooperating sensitization takes place when Yb^3＋ concentration is increased up to 12 mol%. With the further increase of Yb^3＋ concentration, the energy-back-transfer gradually becomes the dominant up-conversion mechanism, which results in the quenching of the green emission and slight increasing of the red and infrared emissions.     

Preparation and upconversion luminescence cell imaging of O-carboxymethyl chitosan-functionalized NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+/Er3+ nanoparticles

Upconversion luminescence nanoparticles (UCNPs) have shown promising applications in biomedical fields as luminescent probes because of their excellent advantages such as single excitation with multicolor emission, low autofluorescence, and deep penetration. But the biological applications of such nanomaterials are still restricted due to the unfavorable surface properties. In this work, we develop a facile one-pot hydrothermal route to obtain O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMC)-wrapped NaYF₄: Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺ /Er³⁺ red UCNPs which have been used for targeted cell luminescence imaging directly and efficiently. The successful coating of the UCNPs by OCMC has been confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra have been used to characterize the size, composition and emission color of the samples, respectively. Due to the good biocompatibility, water-solubility, and strong UC luminescence, these hydrophilic nanocrystals will open up new avenues in further bioapplications.     

Spectroscopic properties of Er3+/Ho3+/Tm3+ doped α-SiAlON ceramics under 793 ​nm excitation

This paper reports the first demonstration of super broadband infrared downshifting emission extending from 1640 ​nm to 2200 ​nm with the full width at half maximum of ∼ 417 ​nm in lanthanides (Er³⁺, Ho³⁺, and Tm³⁺)-doped α-SiAlON ceramics upon 793 ​nm excitation. Using α-Si₃N₄ ceramic as a precursor the lanthanides-doped α-SiAlON ceramics were synthesized by the hot-press method. The lanthanides induced no significant secondary phases in the sintered α-SiAlON ceramics. Strong two-photon upconversion emission bands centered at 547, 671 and 694 ​nm have also been observed upon 793 ​nm excitation. The time-resolved measurements of the upconversion emissions confirm that the efficient energy transfer among the Er³⁺, Ho³⁺ and Tm³⁺ ions as well as the ground state absorption in Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺ are responsible for the observed spectroscopic properties.     

Blue TiO2 polymorph: An efficient material for dye-sensitized solar cells fabricated using a low-temperature sintering process

Recently,surface-disordered or non-stoichiometric TiO_2,such as blue TiO_2(B-TiO_2),has received much attention owing to its unique properties,such as structural disorder near the surface and the existence of Ti~(3+)ions and oxygen vacancies.Therefore,surface-disordered TiO_2has been applied for microwave absorption,photocatalysis,in photoelectrochemical sensors and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.In this work B-TiO_2,a polymorph consisting of nanoparticles,nanotubes and nanosheets,was successfully synthesized and employed as a semiconductor layer in dye-sensitized solar cells(DSSCs)fabricated using a low-temperature heat treatment process(120°C).Based on the analyses of the experimental results regarding the structure and those from the characterization of B-TiO_2,and its application to DSSCs,it has been found that the B-TiO_2 material has an effect on electron-hole pair separation.The conversion efficiency of the B-TiO_2 DSSC(BTiO_2-DSSC)was 6.18%,whereas that of the TiO_2-P25 DSSC(P25-DSSC)was 3.61%,and that of the TiO_2 polymorph DSSC(PTiO_2-DSSC)which is the precursor of B-TiO_2 was 4.51%.     

Multi-color long-lasting phosphorescence of rare earth ions in CdSiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> matrix

A series of rare earth ions doped CdSiO3:RE^3 (RE=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho,Er, Tin, Yb, Lu) multi-color long-lasting phosphorescence phosphors are prepared by the conventional hightemperature solid-state method. The results of XRD measurement indicate that the products fired under 1050~C for 3h have a good crystallization without any detectable amount of impurity phase. Rare earth ions doped CdSiO3 phosphors possess excellent Inmiuescence properties. When rare earth ions such as Y^3 , La^3 , Gd^3 , Lu^3 , Ce^3 , Nd^3 , Ho^3 , Er^3 ,Tm^3 and Yb^3 are introduced into the CdSiO3 host, one broadband centered at about 420 nm resulting from traps can be observed. In the case of other earth ions such as Pr^3 ,Sm^3 , Eu^3 , Tb^3 and Dy^3 , their characteristic line emitting as well as the -420 nm broadband luminescence can be obtained. The mixture of their characteristic line emitting with the -420 nm broadband Inminescence results in various afterglow color.     

Microstructure investigation and multicolor upconversion in Yb~(3+)/Ln~(3+)(Ln=Er/Tm/Ho) ions doped α-Sialon

Yb~(3+)/Ln~(3+)(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 ofα-Sialon with a trace amount ofβ-Sialon phase.The frequency upconversion and downconversion properties of Yb~(3+)/Ln~(3+)(Ln=Er/Tm/Ho)-α-Sialon ceramics were investigated under 980 nm low-power excitation.The different concentrations of Yb~(3+)/Ln~(3+)(Ln=Er/Tm/Ho)produced multicolor emissions characteristics of each Ln~(3+)ion as a result of the energy transfer from Yb~(3+)to Er~(3+),Tm~(3+)and Ho~(3+)ions.The EDS spectra measurements and mappings showed that the Ln~(3+)ions were well incorporated in theα-Sialon matrix.Temporal evolution of the emission decay behavior has been investigated to understand the energy transfer mechanism.     

PbxNayYzF2x+y+3z+3m∶Erm3+上转换发光粉的低温燃烧合成及表征

采用低温燃烧合成（LCS）法一步合成了Pb_xNa_yY_zF_2x+y+3z+3m:Er_m3+氟化物体系1 550 nm响应的红外上转换发光材料. 通过正交实验研究了4种阳离子影响发光性能的主次关系及最佳配比,研究了燃料用量对晶相形成及上转换发光性能的影响. 采用X射线粉末衍射仪、透射电镜、荧光分光光度计（耦合1 550 nm激光器）等手段对样品的物相、形貌及发光性能进行了测试与表征. 结果表明:阳离子含量对红光发射强度影响的主次关系为Y3+,Pb2+,Na+,Er3+,最佳配比为Pb_0.004Na_0.003 Y_0.003 F_0.032:Er3+_0.004. 燃料取2.5倍理论用量时样品的结晶度和发光强度最高.      

Effects of Yb^3＋ codoping on visible and near infrared emissions of Er^3＋-Yb^3＋ codoped Al2O3 powders by the sol-gel method

The 0.1 mol% Er^3＋ and 0-2 mol% Yb^3＋ codoped Al2O3 powders were prepared by the sol-gel method, and the phase structure, including only two crystalline types of doped Al2O3 phase, γ-（Al,Er, Yb）2O3 and θ-（Al,Er, Yb）2O3, was detected at the sintering temperature of 1000℃. The visible and near infrared emissions properties depended strongly on the Yb^3＋ codoping, and the corresponding maximal peak intensities centered at about 523, 545, 660 and 1533 nm were obtained respectively for the 0.1 mol% Er^3＋ and 0.5 mol% Yb^3＋ codoped Al2O3 powders, which were composed of θ-（Al,Er,Yb）2O3 and a small amount of γ-（Al,Er, Yb）2O3 phases. The two-photon absorption process was responsible for the visible up-conversion emissions, and the one-photon absorption process was involved in the near infrared emissions of the Er^3＋-yb^3＋ codoped Al2O3 powders.     

下转换发光粉Y2O3/Sm3+在染料敏化太阳能电池中的应用

采用沉淀法制备了Y2O3/Sm3+下转换发光粉,利用X射线衍射、荧光光谱对其进行了表征,并利用该发光粉具有下转换发光的特点将其应用于染料敏化太阳能电池(DSSC).结果表明,Y2O3/Sm3+下转换发光粉可以增加电池对太阳光的吸收范围,提高电池的光电流和光电压.研究了掺杂量对电池性能的影响,当掺杂量为3%时,光电转换效率从5.049%提高到5.94%,表明了其是一种有效提高光电转换效率的方法.     

Fluorescence and sensitization performance of phenylene-vinylene-substituted polythiophene

A new kind of polythiophene derivative, Poly(3-{2-[4-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-phenyl]-vinyl}-2,2′-bithiophene) (PTh), was applied in dye-sensitized solar cell to extend the light response of nanocrystalline TiO2 electrode. UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra were employed to investigate the interaction of PTh with nanocrystalline TiO2. The absorption coefficient of the PTh was high in visible part of spec- trum, and the fluorescence emission of the PTh can be efficiently quenched by TiO2 nanoparticles ow- i...     

稀土氧化物掺杂对TiO2/沸石光催化性能的影响

以钛酸丁酯和稀土氧化物为原料, 采用溶胶 凝胶法制备了镧、 钕和镱稀土离子掺杂TiO₂/沸石光催化剂. 通过XRD和IR方法对样品进行表征, 研究了不同沸石粒径及不同稀土氧化物掺杂量(质量分数)对农药敌敌畏光催化降解性能的影响. 结果表明, 当沸石最佳粒径为0.15 mm, La³⁺掺杂量质量分数为3.0%时（以TiO₂质量计）, 稀土离子的掺杂可显著提高TiO₂//沸石的光催化降解性能.     

Preparation of Gd_2O_3 :Eu~(3+) downconversion luminescent material and its application in dye-sensitized solar cells

Gd₂O₃ :Eu³⁺ downconversion luminescent powder was prepared using the homogeneous precipitation method. Its optical properties were analyzed and it was introduced into a dye-sensitized solar cell （DSSC）. As a luminescence medium, Gd₂O₃ :Eu³⁺ improved light harvesting via conversion luminescence and increased the photocurrent of the DSSC. As a p-type dopant insulating rare earth oxides form an energy barrier, and the Gd₂O₃ :Eu³⁺ elevated the energy level of the oxide film and increased the photovoltage. The photoelectric conversion efficiency for a DSSC with Gd₂O₃ :Eu³⁺ doping （6 : 100） reached 7.01%, which was 17.4% higher than the photoelectrical conversion efficiency of a DSSC without Gd 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ doping.     

Near-infrared to visible up-conversion emissions of Er^3＋ doped Al2O3 powders derived from the sol-gel method

The Er3 doped Al2O3 powders were prepared by the sol-gel method using the aluminium isopropoxide [Al(OC3H7)3]-derived Al2O3 sols with addition of the erbium nitrate [Er(NO3)3.5H2O]. The different phase structure, including three crystalline types of (Al,Er)2O3 phases, γ, θ, α, and two Er-Al-O phases, ErAlO3 and Al10Er6O24, was obtained with the 1 mol% Er3 doped Al2O3 powders at the different sintering temperatures of 600―1200℃. The green and red up-conversion emissions centered at about 523, 545 and 660 nm, corresponding respectively to the 2H11/2, 4S3/2→4I15/2 and 4F9/2→4I15/2 transitions of Er3 , were detected by a 978 nm semiconductor laser diodes excitation. The phase structure and OH content had evident influence on the up-conversion emissions intensity. The maximum intensities of both the green and red emissions were obtained respectively for the Er3 doped Al2O3 powders sintered at 1200 ℃, which was composed mainly of α-(Al,Er)2O3, less of ErAlO3 and Al10Er6O24 phases, and with the least OH content. The two-photon absorption up-conversion process was involved in the green and red up-conversion emissions of the Er3 doped Al2O3 powders.     

Bi~(3+)/Yb~(3+)共掺GdVO_4近红外发光性能研究

使用高温固相法制备了一种新的Bi3+,Yb3+共掺杂GdVO4量子裁剪近红外发光材料,该材料在波长为250~400nm的紫外光激发下发射出很强的近红外光(900~1100nm).由于体系中Bi3+离子的引入,相对于Gd0.9Yb0.1VO4,Gd0.87Yb0.1Bi0.03VO4在989nm处的近红外发光强度提高近120%,且其激发峰也从323nm红移至341nm,整个激发谱带更宽,更有利于实际应用.由于Yb3+离子既可以利用基质中的VO3-4电荷迁移态跃迁的能量,也可以同时利用Bi3+的1S0-3P1能级跃迁传递能量,相对于目前报道的理论量子裁剪效率最高的YVO4:Bi3+,Yb3+,GdVO4:Bi3+,Yb3+无论其近红外发光强度还是可见光发光强度强度皆有提升,是一种很有希望的紫外宽带激发近红外发光材料.     

Comparison between P25 and anatase-based TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> quasi-solid state dye sensitized solar cells

Pure anatase TiO2 films have been made via hydration of titanium isopropoxide using a sol-gel tech-nique, while mixed TiO2 films which contained both anatase and rutile TiO2 were made from commercial P25 powder. Quasi-solid state dye-sensitized solar cells were fabricated with these two kinds of mesoporous films and a comparison study was carried out. The result showed that the open-circuit photovoltages （Voc） for both kinds of cells were essentially the same, whereas the short-circuit photo-currents （1sc） of the anatase-based cells were about 33% higher than that of the P25-based cells. The highest photocurrent intensity of the anatase-based cell was 6.12 mA/cm^2 and that of the P25-based cell was 4.60 mA/cm^2. Under an illumination with the light intensity of 30 mW/cm^2, the corresponding energy conversion efficiency was measured to be 7.07% and 6.89% for anatase-based cells and P25-based cells, respectively.     

Y2O2S:Eu3+,Zn2+,Ti4+荧光体的缺陷及红色长余辉发光性质

采用高温固相法合成了红色长余辉材料Y2O2S:Eu3+,Zn2+,Ti4+,实现了余辉发光中心和缺陷中心之间的能量传递。通过XRD、荧光发射和激发光谱、余辉发射光谱与衰减曲线、色坐标和热释光谱测试手段对Y2O2S:Eu3+,Zn2+、Y2O2S:Eu3+,Ti4+、Y2O2S:Eu3+,Zn2+,Ti4+和Y2O2S:Eu3+,Mg2+,Ti4+进行了结构与性能的表征,发现其荧光发射与余辉发射基本一致,红色余辉发光主峰位于625 nm附近,来源于Eu3+的5D0→7F2跃迁发射。相比而言,Y2O2S:Eu3+,Zn2+,Ti4+余辉发光性能最好,可持续1.5 h左右。     

Flexible dye-sensitized solar cell based on PCBM/P3HT heterojunction

Using blend heterojunction consisting of C60 derivatives [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as charge carrier transferring medium to replace I3–/I– redox electrolyte,a novel flexible dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is fabricated.The characterization of infrared spectra and ultraviolet-visible spectra shows that the PCBM/P3HT heterojunction has not only the absorption in ultraviolet light for PCBM,but also the absorption in visible and near infrared light for P3HT,which widens the photoelectric response range for DSSC.The influence of PCBM/P3HT mass ratio on the performance of the solar cell is discussed.Under 100 mW cm–2 (AM 1.5) simulated solar irradiation,the flexible solar cell achieves a lightto-electric energy conversion efficiency of 1.43%,open circuit voltage of 0.87 V,short circuit current density of 3.0 mA cm–2 and fill factor of 0.54.