Host sensitized spherical up-conversion phosphor Yb2O3:Er3+

Host sensitized up-conversion phosphors Yb2O3:Er3+ with sphere-shaped morphology were prepared by a urea-based homogeneous precipitation process. The effects of sintering temperature on the structure and morphology of particles were investigated. The up-conversion emission spectra of Yb2O3:Er3+ with 980 nm excitation exhibit the green and red double bands, attributing to H-2(11/2)/S-4(3/2) --> I-4(15/2) and F-4(9/2) --> I-4(15/2) transitions of Er3+ ions, respectively. The possible up-conversion mechanism and processes were also proposed. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.