Er, Yb:CeF3 red emission nanoparticles with controllable size and enhanced luminescence properties

In this paper, Er3+, Yb3+:CeF3 nanoparticles of different sizes were successfully prepared via the hydrothermal method. The effects of Yb3+ ion concentration and the size of nanoparticles on the up-conversion luminescence performance of the materials were investigated through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy, and photo luminescence spectroscopy. It was found that these nanoparticles show excellent up-conversion luminescence under a 980 nm laser excitation. The green and red emissions at 517 nm, 543 nm, and 654 nm were, respectively, attributed to the following radiation transitions of the Er3+ ions: H-2(11/2) -> I-2(15/2), S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2), and F-4(9/2) -> I-4(15/2). Furthermore, the emission intensity of the red light was significantly stronger than that of the green light. As the nanoparticles size increased, the luminescence intensity of the samples was significantly reduced. These results demonstrate the great potential of Er3+, Yb3+:CeF3 nanoparticles in bio-imaging, luminescent, anti-counterfeiting, and photocatalysts.