Color-Tunable Upconversion in Er3+/Yb3+-Codoped KLaF4 Nanophosphors by Incorporation of Tm3+ Ions for Biological Applications.

Abstract

Heavily doped nanocrystals of host KLaF4 with rare earth (RE3+ = Er3+, Tm3+, and Yb3+) ions prepared by a simple one-step template-free wet-chemical route have been reported. Prepared KLaF4 nanocrystals reveal phase-pure cubic structures (lattice constant a = 5.931Å) with space group Fm3m. Precisely defined molar ratios of heavily dopant RE3+ ions allow us to achieve wide color upconversion (UC) emission tunability (blue, green to yellow–orange–red) and white light, without any morphology and structure changes. The enhanced red emission by a factor of ∼120 has been achieved in 20% Yb3+ and 5% Tm3+ ions in KLaF4:1% Er3+ nanocrystals, which is due to an efficient sensitizer–acceptor (Yb3+ to Er3+ and Tm3+ ions) energy transfer and interexchange energy process between acceptors. For the first time, the key role of sensitizer (Yb3+) for UC emission energy transfer to Er3+ and/or Tm3+ is experimentally demonstrated. The evidence of upconversion photoluminescence excitation spectra reveals a broad safe biological excitation window (690–1040 nm), which can be well demonstrated by low-cost NIR diode lasers/LEDs. The applicability of these cubic nanophosphors is demonstrated as light-emitting polymer composite coatings and blocks for LEDs and solar cell panels. These well-dispersed UC nanocrystals can also be found to have greater use in bioimaging and spectral studies.