Investigation of enhancing upconversion and temperature sensing performance of Er3+, Yb3+, Bi3+ codoped Gd2O3 phosphor

Abstract

In this paper, the Gd2O3: Yb3+/Er3+/Bi3+ phosphors are prepared by sol-gel method. The upconversion (UC) emission spectra of Gd2O3:Yb3+/Er3+/Bi3+ phosphors are measured under 980 nm excitation. The UC emission intensity can be enhanced by the codoped Bi3+ ions. The temperature sensing performance is investigated with the fluorescence intensity ratio(FIR) technology based on thermal coupled levels of Er3+ ions, the sensitivity of the Gd2O3:2 mol%Yb3+/1 mol%Er3+/2 mol%Bi3+ phosphor reaches 0.0075 K−1 at 548 K. Therefore, the Gd2O3: Er3+/Yb3+/Bi3+ phosphors may be a candidate for temperature sensor.