Nd3+ sensitized Yb3+ luminescence in oleic acid functionalized LaF3: Nd3+Yb3+ nanoparticles

The luminescence at the absorption maximum of c-Si solar cells (1002 nm) of Ytterbium (3+) ions (Yb3+) make them a suitable candidate for solar spectrum converting material for c-Si solar cell. In this work oleic acid functionalized lanthanum fluoride (OA-LaF3) nanoparticles doped with Nd3+, Yb3+ (2-5 nm) were synthesized by coprecipitation method in which Nd3+ (Neodymium (3+) ions) acts as the sensitizer for Yb3+. The oleic acid chemisorption on LaF3 nanoparticles was confirmed by FTIR and TGA analysis. OA-LaF3: Nd3+ Yb3+ nanoparticles (Nd3+ -10 mol%, Yb3+-0 to 20 mol% ) luminescent at  880 nm, 1053 nm, 1325 nm (Nd3+ ions) and 1002 nm (Yb3+ ions) was observed for excitation at 575 nm. The excitation spectra for the Yb3+ emission from OA-LaF3: Nd3+ Yb3+ showed all the excitation peaks of Nd3+ in the visible region. This confirmed the energy transfer from Nd3+ to Yb3+ ions. The increase in the Yb3+ emission intensity at 1002 nm was observed as Yb3+ dopant concentration increased from 0 to 5%. Above 5% of Yb3+ doping concentration, Yb3+ luminescence was observed to be decreasing, which was attributed to the concentration quenching. Copyright © 2017 VBRI Press.