Near infrared region to visible upconversion study of La₂O₃: Yb₃₊/Ho₃₊ nano-phosphor

Abstract

La₂O₃: Yb₃₊/Ho₃₊ nano-phosphor with up conversion luminescence properties was successfully synthesized via a simplistic sacrificial combustion scheme by employing urea as a reducing agent followed by a consequent heating practice at 1200 °C for 24 hours. The structural morphology, formation process, and luminous properties are well investigated by a variety of techniques. The consequences designate that the sample can be fighting fit indexed to the hexagonal La₂O₃: Yb₃₊/Ho₃₊ phase. The sample of La₂O₃: Yb₃₊/Ho₃₊ microspheres with uniform diameter of ∼250 nm maintain the spherical morphology. The shell of the microspheres consists of abundant nanocrystals by way of the size of ∼30 nm. The Yb₃₊/Ho₃₊ codoped La₂O₃ exhibits bright up conversion luminescence with green color resulting from different activators under the 980 nm near infrared region (NIR) laser excitation. Therefore, this material may be found potential applications in drug delivery, security function and luminescent displays based on the consistent structure, dimension and up conversion luminescence properties.