Zirconium metal organic framework for design of tetragonal rare earth-doped zirconia nanoparticles

Zirconium metal-organic frameworks ZrOBDC (where BDC = C6H4(COOH)(2), terephthalic acid) doped and co-doped with rare earth ions Ln (ZrOBDC:Ln(3+), where Ln(3+) = Eu3+ and Tb3+ as well as Er3+ and Yb3+) were used as precursors for the design of tetragonal rare earth doped zirconia nanoparticles (t-ZrO2:Ln(3+) NPs) through annealing process. Preparation, characterization and luminescence properties of ZrOBDC:Ln(3+) and ZrO2:Ln(3+) NPs were investigated. The as-obtained t-ZrO2:Ln(3+) NPs have high purity with an average size of 20-30 nm. The luminescence spectra of ZrOBDC:Tb3+ and ZrOBDC:Eu3+ display strong green and red emission at around 544 and 611 nm which correspond to D-5(4) -> F-7(5) and D-5(0) -> F-7(2) transitions of Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions, respectively. The green and red up-conversion emissions of ZrO2 :Er3+,Yb3+ NPs due to H-2(1)1/(12), S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2) and F-4(9/2) -> I-4(15/2) transitions of the Er3+ ions are observed under 976 nm laser excitation. (C) 2019 Chinese Society of Rare Earths. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.