Abstract
The improvement in the upconversion (UC) luminescence due to the surface plasmonic properties of precious metals is an effective mode to increase UC luminescence efficiency. In the present research work, pure hexagonal-phase NaYF4: Yb, Er UC nanocrystals were prepared via a reverse micro emulsion method. A single-step method was adopted to change the hydrophobic surfaces of the as-prepared NaYF4: Yb, Er nanocrystals. After the surface modification, Au/Ag nanoparticles were decorated on the surfaces of NaYF4:Yb, Er nanocrystals. The structural analysis and composition of the nanocomposites were studied in details. The XRD pattern indicated the formation of the hexagonal structure of NaYF4 crystals. The decorated UC nanocrystals exhibited a prominent UC emission in green and red bands under 980 nm laser excitation due to normal two-photon UC process. The UC intensity increased by ∼3 times than the uncoated samples. The enhancement mechanism of UC luminescence was investigated in details.
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