Near infrared luminescence behavior of organic–inorganic nanohybrid films containing Er3+ doped YbPO4 nanoparticles

Er3+ doped YbPO4 nanoparticles incorporated organic–inorganic nanohybrid material was prepared. Er3+ doped YbPO4 nanoparticles, which were synthesized in a high-boiling mixture solution of tributyl phosphate, trihexylamine, and diphenylether, had a good crystalline structure of tetragonal xenotime phase and an average particle size of about 3–4 nm. Clear colloidal solution containing the nanoparticles was dispersed homogeneously into the silica-based resin prepared by non-hydrolytic sol–gel process. Crack-free films with a thickness of 800 μm were fabricated by a single spin-coating action from the nanohybrid material. Highly transparent and uniform films without phase separation were obtained, even after incorporating 30 wt.% of Er3+ doped YbPO4 nanoparticles into the resin. The films showed a strong and broad emission at 1550 nm due to the 4I13/2→4I15/2 transition of Er3+ ion.