Optical investigation in shuttle like BaMoO4:Er3+–Yb3+ phosphor in display and temperature sensing

•The significant enhancement in upconversion emission intensity by codoping of Yb3+ ion.•Mechanism discussed on the basis of energy transfer and decay curve analysis.•The temperature sensing behaviour and colour tunability has been reported.•Observation shows its utility in making optical temperature sensor with a better sensor sensitivity.•The phosphors may be used in display devices and optical temperature sensing.

The crystal structure of the Er3+–Yb3+ codoped BaMoO4 phosphors synthesized through co-precipitation method has been studied by using the X-ray diffraction analysis. The impurity contents and surface morphology have been examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis respectively. The introduction of the Er3+/Yb3+ did not change the crystal structure and morphology of the developed phosphor. The developed phosphor upon excitation at 980 nm diode laser radiation shows strong green, relatively weak red and near infrared upconversion emission bands. The codoping with Yb3+ ions in the BaMoO4:Er3+ phosphor enhanced the green emission intensity about ∼236-folds. The decay curve analysis and temperature dependence intensity variations for the most intense green bands arising from the 2H11/2 and 4S3/2 levels to the ground level (4I15/2) in Er3+ ion have been performed. The pump power and temperature dependent study shows the feasibility of using the developed phosphor in display and temperature sensing devices.

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