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Visible quantum cutting in GdF3:Eu(3+) nanocrystals via downconversion
Ruinian Hua1, Jinghua Niu, Baojiu Chen
1College of Life Science, Dalian Nationalities University, Dalian 116600, People's Republic of China.
Nanotechnology
|November 13, 2015
Summary
Gadolinium fluoride (GdF3) nanocrystals doped with europium (Eu(3+)) exhibit efficient two-step energy transfer, converting one vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photon into two visible photons with high quantum efficiency near 170%.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Luminescence
Background:
- Lanthanide-doped materials are crucial for luminescence applications.
- Efficient conversion of high-energy photons to visible light is desirable for various technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize GdF3:Eu(3+) nanocrystals and nanorods.
- To investigate the VUV-to-visible photon upconversion mechanism.
- To determine the visible quantum efficiency of the synthesized materials.
Main Methods:
- Microemulsion-mediated hydrothermal synthesis.
- X-ray diffraction (XRD) for structural and particle size analysis.
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for morphology characterization.
- VUV spectroscopy to study energy transfer dynamics.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized GdF3:Eu(3+) nanocrystals and nanorods.
- Observed VUV absorption by Gd(3+) ions and subsequent two-step energy transfer to Eu(3+).
- Demonstrated the generation of two visible photons from a single VUV photon excitation.
- Achieved a visible quantum efficiency close to 170% under 160 nm VUV excitation.
Conclusions:
- GdF3:Eu(3+) NCs exhibit efficient VUV-activated visible luminescence through a two-step energy transfer process.
- The high quantum efficiency suggests potential applications in VUV-to-visible conversion technologies.
- The synthesis method provides control over the morphology of GdF3:Eu(3+) nanomaterials.
