Upconversion Luminescence Properties of Y2Mo4O15: Yb3+, Er3+ by Solid State Combustion Method

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Solid-state Chemistry
• Luminescence

Background:

• Upconversion phosphors are crucial for converting lower-energy light to higher-energy light.
• Yttrium molybdenum oxides offer a promising host matrix for doping with rare-earth ions.
• Controlling luminescence properties requires precise synthesis and understanding of doping mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize Yb3+ and Er3+ co-doped yttrium molybdenum oxide upconversion phosphors.
• To characterize the structural, morphological, and luminescent properties of the synthesized materials.
• To investigate the underlying mechanisms responsible for the observed upconversion luminescence.

Main Methods:

• Solid-state combustion synthesis using urea as fuel at 550 °C.
• Characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
• Photoluminescence spectroscopy to analyze upconversion luminescence under 980 nm laser diode (LD) excitation.

Main Results:

• Pure monoclinic Y2Mo4O15 phases were obtained at a sintering temperature of 700 °C.
• SEM micrographs showed uniform particle size distribution (0.5-1.0 µm).
• Bright and pure green upconversion luminescence was observed under daylight pumping.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized Y2MO4O15: Yb3+, Er3+ phosphors exhibit efficient green upconversion luminescence.
• Cross-relaxation processes involving Er3+ ions enhance the green emission intensity and purity.
• The material demonstrates potential for applications requiring efficient green light emission.