Dual-center co-doped and mixed ratiometric LuVO4:Nd3+/Yb3+ nanothermometers

Abstract

During last decade luminescence thermometry has become a widely studied research field due to its potential applications for real time contactless temperature sensing where usual thermometers cannot be used. Special attention is paid to the development of accurate and reliable thermal sensors with simple reading. To address existing problems of ratiometric thermometers based on thermally-coupled levels, LuVO4:Nd3+/Yb3+ thermal sensors were studied as a proof-of-concept of dual-center thermometer obtained by co-doping or mixture. Both approaches to create a dual-center sensor were compared in terms of energy transfer efficiency, relative sensitivity, and temperature resolution. Effect of excitation mechanism and Yb3+ doping concentration on thermometric performances was also investigated. The best characteristics of S r = 0.34% K−1@298 K and ΔT = 0.2 K were obtained for mixed phosphors upon host excitation.