Ultraviolet to near-infrared conversion in Nd3+ doped strontium cerate nanophosphors

Novel NIR luminescent nanomaterial, Sr2CeO4:Nd3+ was successfully prepared with Pechini method. The Sr2CeO4:Nd3+ nanophosphors had an orthorhombic crystal structure, and showed plate-like morphology with length of about 260 nm and width of about 130 nm. Upon UV light excitation, the Sr2CeO4:Nd3+ nanophosphors exhibited strong NIR emission for the first time. The possible mechanisms of energy transfer for Nd3+ doped Sr2CeO4 were briefly analyzed. The Sr2CeO4:Nd3+ nanophosphors may be poised to be exploited in near-infrared light amplified applications or used as a high efficiency laser material based on their peculiar optical properties.