Enhancement of Tb–Yb quantum cutting luminescence with Ag nanostructures and photonic crystals

Abstract

NIR(near infrared)-emitting rare-earth ion doped quantum cutting materials has attracted interest in the recent years due to its potential applications in solar cells, bio-sensing, food-processing industry, and night-vision technologies, among others. However, these applications are limited by their low quantum cutting luminescent intensity and efficiency, low 4f-4f transition excitation, and high unwanted spontaneous decay of dopant. Here, two strategies of local electromagnetic field modulation to improve the quantum cutting NIR emissions of Tb–Yb in NaYF 4 nanoparticles were used synergistically. The photonic band-gap could effectively suppress the spontaneous emission of Tb 3+ , and enhance the energy transfer efficiency of Tb–Yb. Additionally, triangular Ag nanoparticles could provide a suitable plasma resonance local field to improve Tb 3+ excitation efficiency. According to the findings of this study, the quantum cutting efficiency of Tb–Yb could be increased up to 145.93%. • YPO 4 inverse opal PCs were fabricated to modify the quantum cutting energy transfer of Tb–Yb in NaYF 4 NPs. • The Tb–Yb cooperative quantum cutting energy transfer efficiency is enhanced by suppressing the spontaneous emission of Tb 3+ ions by photonic band gap. • The co-embedding of Ag NPs could increase the quantum cutting energy transfer of Tb–Yb to 145.93%.