Electrospinning preparation and up-conversion luminescence properties of LaOBr:Er3+ nanofibers and nanoribbons

• LaOBr:Er3+ nanofibers and nanoribbons were firstly prepared by electrospinning.
• LaOBr:Er3+ nanostructures exhibit the green and red emissions of Er3+ ions.
• Luminescent performances of LaOBr:Er3+ nanostructures were studied.
• Formation mechanisms of LaOBr:Er3+ nanostructures were also proposed.

LaOBr:Er3+ nanofibers and nanoribbons were synthesized for the first time via calcinating the respective electrospun PVP/[La(NO3)3 + Er(NO3)3 + NH4Br] composites. The morphology, structure and luminescent properties of the final products were investigated in detail by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and fluorescence spectroscopy. The diameter of the LaOBr:Er3+ nanofibers with the pure tetragonal crystal phase are ca. 144.36 nm. The width and the thickness of LaOBr:Er3+ nanoribbons with the pure tetragonal in structure are ca. 5.66 μm and 151 nm, respectively. Under the excitation of a 980-nm diode laser, LaOBr:Er3+ nanofibers and nanoribbons exhibit the characteristic up-conversion emissions of Er3+ ions, and the optimum doping concentration of Er3+ ions in the LaOBr:Er3+ nanofibers and nanoribbons is 3.0%. Interestingly, the luminescence intensity of LaOBr:Er3+ nanoribbons is obviously stronger than that of LaOBr:Er3+nanofibers under the same measuring conditions. The color emissions of LaOBr:Er3+ nanostructures can be tuned from green emission to yellow emission by changing the concentration of doping Er3+ ions and the morphologies of nanostructures. Moreover, the predominant near-infrared emission at 1.50 μm of LaOBr:Er3+ nanostructures are obtained under the excitation of a 532-nm laser. The formation mechanisms of LaOBr:Er3+ nanofibers and nanoribbons are also proposed. Electrospinning is a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of luminescent LaOBr:Er3+ nanostructures, which would be promising up-conversion luminescent nanomaterials.

LaOBr:Er3+ nanofibers and nanoribbons with tetragonal structure were synthesized for the first time via calcinating the electrospun PVP/[La(NO3)3 + Er(NO3)3 + NH4Br] composites. The mean diameter of the LaOBr:Er3+ nanofibers is 144.36 ± 15.90 nm. The width and thickness of the LaOBr:Er3+ nanoribbons are 5.66 ± 0.60 μm and 151 nm, respectively. Under the excitation of a 980-nm diode laser, LaOBr:Er3+ nanostructures exhibit the characteristic upconversion emissions of Er3+ ions. Interestingly, it is found that the luminescence intensity of nanoribbons is obviously greater than that of the nanofibers for LaOBr:Er3+ under the same measuring conditions. Moreover, the near-infrared emission of predominant peak at 1.50 μm of LaOBr:Er3+ nanofibers and nanoribbons is achieved under the excitation of a 532-nm laser. The formation mechanisms of LaOBr:Er3+ nanofibers and nanoribbons are also proposed.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide