Enhanced upconversion study of Er3+-Yb3+ codoped NaYF4 phosphors synthesized by the reverse microemulsion method

Herein, nanocrystals of Er3+ and Er3+, Yb3+ co-doped NaYF4 upconversion (UC) phosphor were prepared via the reverse-microemulsion method. The impact of different concentrations of Er3+ ions on the UC emission intensity after 980 nm diode laser excitation is discussed. The structure, morphology and composition of the nanophosphors were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and the results showed the presence of NaYF4 nanocrystals with hexagonal phases of NaYF4. The UC spectra revealed two emission bands including a green and a red emission band and the CIE coordinate for the samples were estimated. The present research revealed that the reverse-microemulsion approach will be suitable for the synthesis of efficient upconversion nanophosphors.