Simultaneous size and luminescence control of NaYF4:Yb3+/RE3+ (RE = Tm, Ho) microcrystals via Li+ doping

• Blue and red emissions in NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+ MCs are improved by 10 and 9 times.
• Green and red emissions in NaYF4:Yb3+/Ho3+ MCs are improved by 12 and 3 times.
• Li+ doping can increase the B/R ratio and G/R ratio.

Enhancement of upconversion (UC) luminescence is imperative for the applications of UC microcrystals (MCs). In this work, NaYF4:Yb3+/RE3+ (RE = Tm, Ho) MCs via Li+ doping were successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal process with the assistance of citric acid. The UC luminescence intensities of NaYF4:Yb3+/RE3+ (RE = Tm, Ho) are significantly enhanced via Li+ doping at different concentrations. Compared to Li+-absent sample, UC luminescence intensities of blue emission (477 nm) and red emission (649 nm) in NaYF4:Yb3+/Tm3+ MCs via 15 mol% Li+ doping are improved by 10 and 9 times, respectively; UC luminescence intensities of green emission (538 nm) and red emission (644 nm) in NaYF4:Yb3+/Ho3+ MCs via 15 mol% Li+ doping are improved by 12 and 3 times, respectively. The mechanism of the enhancement via Li+ doping is discussed in details, which may be attributed to the fact that Li+ doping can cause the distortion of the local symmetry around RE ions. Our results indicate that the enhanced UC luminescence of NaYF4:Yb3+/RE3+ (RE = Tm, Ho) MCs via Li+ doping may have potential applications in optoelectronic devices such as solar cells and plasma display panel.