Highly sensitive up-conversion thermometric performance in Nd3+ and Yb3+ sensitized Ba4La2Ti4Nb6O30 based on near-infrared emissions

Up-conversion (UC) oxides comprise a huge family of materials with abundant optical functionalities and they merit extensive research. Some members of this family have been modified with proper rare earth (RE3+) ions and their importance has recently been established in non-contact temperature sensors, although the thermal sensitivity (S) value was still low. In this study, we investigated Nd3+ and Yb3+ sensitized Ba4La2Ti4Nb6O30 (BLTN:xNd3+/Yb3+) with a tungsten bronze structure for use as optical thermometers for the first time. Under excitation at 980 nm, obvious near-infrared emissions corresponding to 4F7/2/4S3/2 → 4I9/2, 4F5/2/2H9/2 → 4I9/2, and 4F3/2 → 4I9/2 transitions were observed, and the UC mechanism involved was elaborated. Furthermore, the UC thermometric properties were investigated according to the fluorescence intensity ratio technique and the maximum S values determined for BLTN:xNd3+/Yb3+ (x = 0.12 and 0.16) samples were both higher than 0.03 K-1. The potential of BLTN:xNd3+/Yb3+ for use in optical thermometers was estimated based on comparisons with other active materials.