Luminescent Properties of Sm3+activated β-NaYF4 Microcrystals

Abstract

Sm3+(1, 3, 5, 7and 10 at.%) activated β-NaYF4microphosphors were prepared via hydrothermal process at 200 0C. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) have been used to investigate the morphology and crystal structure of the samples. One interesting outcome of photo-luminescence study involved the relative intensity variation of the strongest emission peak at ~600 nm due to 4G5/2-6H7/2transition under the excitation of 400 nm. These results were explained on the basis of multiple energy levels and self-concentration quenching associated with the activator ion.