LaPO4:Er microspheres with high NIR luminescent quantum yield

Er-doped LaPO4 microspheres have been synthesized by spray pyrolysis and the near infrared (NIR) properties have been characterized. It has been found that, following an adequate post-annealing treatment, the emission properties are remarkably improved. The NIR luminescence intensity is highly enhanced and its decay time increases to a value almost coincident with the reported radiative lifetime, which implies that the quantum yield approaches η ≈ 100%. This improvement in luminescence characteristics is probably related to the suppression of residual OH− radicals, that otherwise act as NIR luminescence quenchers, and to the increase in material's crystallinity.

► LaPO4:Er synthesis with microspherical morphology.
► Study of luminescent properties of Er ions in the microspheres.
► Enhancement of the 4I13/2 quantum efficiency after thermal treatments.
► Improvement of the NIR luminescent signal at 1.5 μm.