Ensemble and single particle studies of the excitation power density (P)-dependent upconversion luminescence (UCL) of core and core-shell β-NaYF_(4):Yb,Er upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) doped with 20% Yb^(3+) and...Ensemble and single particle studies of the excitation power density (P)-dependent upconversion luminescence (UCL) of core and core-shell β-NaYF_(4):Yb,Er upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) doped with 20% Yb^(3+) and 1% or 3% Er^(^(3+)) performed over a P regime of 6 orders of magnitude reveal an increasing contribution of the emission from high energy Er^(3+) levels at P > 1 kW/cm^(2). This changes the overall emission color from initially green over yellow to white. While initially the green and with increasing P the red emission dominate in ensemble measurements at P < 1 kW/cm^(2), the increasing population of higher Er^(^(3+)) energy levels by multiphotonic processes at higher P in single particle studies results in a multitude of emission bands in the ultraviolet/visible/near infrared (UV/vis/NIR) accompanied by a decreased contribution of the red luminescence. Based upon a thorough analysis of the P-dependence of UCL, the emission bands activated at high P were grouped and assigned to 2–3, 3–4, and 4 photonic processes involving energy transfer (ET), excited-state absorption (ESA), cross-relaxation (CR), back energy transfer (BET), and non-radiative relaxation processes (nRP). This underlines the P-tunability of UCNP brightness and color and highlights the potential of P-dependent measurements for mechanistic studies required to manifest the population pathways of the different Er^(3+) levels.展开更多
High sensitizer and activator concentrations have been increasingly examined to improve the performance of multi-color emissive upconversion(UC)nanocrystals(UCNC)like NaYF_(4):Yb,Er and first strategies were reported ...High sensitizer and activator concentrations have been increasingly examined to improve the performance of multi-color emissive upconversion(UC)nanocrystals(UCNC)like NaYF_(4):Yb,Er and first strategies were reported to reduce concentration quenching in highly doped UCNC.UC luminescence(UCL)is,however,controlled not only by dopant concentration,yet by an interplay of different parameters including size,crystal and shell quality,and excitation power density(P).Thus,identifying optimum dopant concentrations requires systematic studies of UCNC designed to minimize additional quenching pathways and quantitative spectroscopy.Here,we quantify the dopant concentration dependence of the UCL quantum yield(ΦUC)of solid NaYF_(4):Yb,Er/NaYF_(4):Lu upconversion core/shell nanocrystals of varying Yb3+and Er3+concentrations(Yb3+series:20%‒98%Yb3+;2%Er3+;Er3+series:60%Yb3+;2%‒40%Er3+).To circumvent other luminescence quenching processes,an elaborate synthesis yielding OH-free UCNC with recordΦUC of~9%and~25 nm core particles with a thick surface shell were used.High Yb3+concentrations barely reduceΦUC from~9%(20%Yb3+)to~7%(98%Yb3+)for an Er3+concentration of 2%,thereby allowing to strongly increase the particle absorption cross section and UCNC brightness.Although an increased Er3+concentration reducesΦUC from~7%(2%Er3+)to 1%(40%)for 60%Yb3+.Nevertheless,at very high P(>1 MW/cm^(2))used for microscopic studies,highly Er3+-doped UCNC display a high brightness because of reduced saturation.These findings underline the importance of synthesis control and will pave the road to many fundamental studies of UC materials.展开更多
基金The authors thank the European Upconversion Network(EUN)for financial support of a research exchange program(COST-CM1403)U.R.-G.,F.F.and C.W.acknowledge financial support by research grants RE 1203/20-1(project NANOHYPE,DFG and M-Eranet).Y.M.is grateful to the Institut Universitaire de France(IUF)for support and providing additional time to be dedicated to research.
文摘Ensemble and single particle studies of the excitation power density (P)-dependent upconversion luminescence (UCL) of core and core-shell β-NaYF_(4):Yb,Er upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) doped with 20% Yb^(3+) and 1% or 3% Er^(^(3+)) performed over a P regime of 6 orders of magnitude reveal an increasing contribution of the emission from high energy Er^(3+) levels at P > 1 kW/cm^(2). This changes the overall emission color from initially green over yellow to white. While initially the green and with increasing P the red emission dominate in ensemble measurements at P < 1 kW/cm^(2), the increasing population of higher Er^(^(3+)) energy levels by multiphotonic processes at higher P in single particle studies results in a multitude of emission bands in the ultraviolet/visible/near infrared (UV/vis/NIR) accompanied by a decreased contribution of the red luminescence. Based upon a thorough analysis of the P-dependence of UCL, the emission bands activated at high P were grouped and assigned to 2–3, 3–4, and 4 photonic processes involving energy transfer (ET), excited-state absorption (ESA), cross-relaxation (CR), back energy transfer (BET), and non-radiative relaxation processes (nRP). This underlines the P-tunability of UCNP brightness and color and highlights the potential of P-dependent measurements for mechanistic studies required to manifest the population pathways of the different Er^(3+) levels.
基金the German Science Foundation DFG(grants RE 1203/18-1 and HA 1649/7-1)the EU(COST 1403)for financial support.
文摘High sensitizer and activator concentrations have been increasingly examined to improve the performance of multi-color emissive upconversion(UC)nanocrystals(UCNC)like NaYF_(4):Yb,Er and first strategies were reported to reduce concentration quenching in highly doped UCNC.UC luminescence(UCL)is,however,controlled not only by dopant concentration,yet by an interplay of different parameters including size,crystal and shell quality,and excitation power density(P).Thus,identifying optimum dopant concentrations requires systematic studies of UCNC designed to minimize additional quenching pathways and quantitative spectroscopy.Here,we quantify the dopant concentration dependence of the UCL quantum yield(ΦUC)of solid NaYF_(4):Yb,Er/NaYF_(4):Lu upconversion core/shell nanocrystals of varying Yb3+and Er3+concentrations(Yb3+series:20%‒98%Yb3+;2%Er3+;Er3+series:60%Yb3+;2%‒40%Er3+).To circumvent other luminescence quenching processes,an elaborate synthesis yielding OH-free UCNC with recordΦUC of~9%and~25 nm core particles with a thick surface shell were used.High Yb3+concentrations barely reduceΦUC from~9%(20%Yb3+)to~7%(98%Yb3+)for an Er3+concentration of 2%,thereby allowing to strongly increase the particle absorption cross section and UCNC brightness.Although an increased Er3+concentration reducesΦUC from~7%(2%Er3+)to 1%(40%)for 60%Yb3+.Nevertheless,at very high P(>1 MW/cm^(2))used for microscopic studies,highly Er3+-doped UCNC display a high brightness because of reduced saturation.These findings underline the importance of synthesis control and will pave the road to many fundamental studies of UC materials.
