Enhanced visible and near infrared emissions viaCe super(3+) to Ln super(3+) energy transfer in Ln super(3+)-doped CeF sub(3) nanocrystals (Ln = Nd and Sm)

• Published in: Dalton transactions : an international journal of inorganic chemistry 2015-12, Vol.45 (1), p.78-84
• Main Authors: Samanta, Tuhin, Sarkar, Shyam, Adusumalli, VenkataNKB, Praveen, Athma E, Mahalingam, Venkataramanan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Capping; Emission; Energy transfer; Irradiation; Lasing; Microwaves; Nanocrystals; Near infrared radiation
• ISSN: 1477-9226; 1477-9234
• DOI: 10.1039/c5dt02974k

We report the enhancement of both visible and near infrared (NIR) emissions from Nd super(3+) ions viaCe super(3+) sensitization in colloidal nanocrystals for the first time. This is achieved in citrate capped Nd super(3+)-doped CeF sub(3) nanocrystals under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation ( lambda sub(ex) = 282 nm). The lasing transition ( super(4)F sub(3/2) arrow right super(4)I sub(11/2)) at 1064 nm from Nd super(3+)-doped CeF sub(3) nanocrystals has much higher emission intensity viaCe super(3+) ion sensitization compared to the direct excitation of Nd super(3+) ions. The nanocrystals were prepared using a simple microwave irradiation route. Moreover, the study has been extended to Sm super(3+)-doped CeF sub(3) nanocrystals which show strong characteristic emissions of Sm super(3+) ions viaenergy transfer from Ce super(3+) ions. The energy transfer mechanism from Ce super(3+) to Nd super(3+) and Sm super(3+) ions is proposed.