Structural morphology, upconversion luminescence and optical thermometric sensing behavior of Y2O3:Er3+/Yb3+ nano-crystalline phosphor

• Nano-crystalline Y2O3 phosphor has been prepared by solution combustion method.
• Effect of calcinations at higher temperatures has been monitored.
• Structural and optical properties improve towards calcination to a good extent.
• CIE diagram shows the overall emission of as-prepared and calcinated parts.
• Application as a temperature sensor in green spectral region has also reported.

Infrared-to-visible upconverting rare earths Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped Y2O3 nano-crystalline phosphor samples have been prepared by solution combustion method followed by post-heat treatment at higher temperatures. A slight increase in average crystallite size has been found on calcinations verified by X-ray analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirms the nano-crystalline nature of the as-prepared and calcinated samples. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis shows the structural changes in as-prepared and calcinated samples. Upconversion and downconversion emission recorded using 976 and 532 nm laser sources clearly demonstrates a better luminescence properties in the calcinated samples as compared to as-prepared sample. Upconversion emission has been quantified in terms of standard chromaticity diagram (CIE) showing a shift in overall upconversion emission of as-prepared and calcinated samples. Temperature sensing behaviour of this material has also been investigated by measurement of fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) of various signals in green emission in the temperature range of 315 to 555 K under 976 nm laser excitation.

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