Fluorescent Thermal Feedback in Ho3+/Yb3+ Doped Y2Ti2O7 Electrospun Nanofibers

One-dimensional (1D) Y2Ti2O7 (YTO): Ho3+/Yb3+ nanofibers with diameters ranging from 300 to 400 nm were synthesized by an electrospinning technology and the structure of YTO nanofibers was identified as face-centered cubic pyrochlores. The detected green and red signals in the upconversion emission spectra under 980 nm laser excitation are due to the radiative transitions (F-5(4), S-5(2)) -> I-5(8) and F-5(5) -> I-5(8) of Ho3+ ions, respectively. YTO: Ho3+/Yb3+ nanofibers have the characteristics of porosity, three-dimensional braidability, high specific surface area and controllable structure, which improves the performance of optical temperature sensing. Furthermore, the nanofiber membranes consisting of YTO: Ho3+/Yb3+ with temperature sensing performance can work steadily at medium temperature range in view of its fast responses and high stability, moreover, a maximum sensitivity about 0.18% K-1 at 423 K, which indicates that the nanofibers have good thermal sensitivity. 1D nanostructure rare earth ion-doped cubic pyrochlore material was proven to obtain excellent upconversion luminescence properties, which provides a new route for the development of sensitive optical temperature-sensing materials. (c) 2020 The Electrochemical Society ("ECS"). Published on behalf of ECS by IOP Publishing Limited.