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Temperature-dependent light upconversion and thermometric properties of Er3+/Yb3+-codoped SrMoO4 sintered ceramics

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Abstract

A series of Sr1−x−yErxYbyMoO4 phosphor compositions codoped with Er3+ (x = 1 mol%) and varying Yb3+ (y = 0–9 mol%) dopants have been evaluated for luminescence-based thermometry. Sintered ceramics exhibit enhanced grain growth at an optimum Yb3+ content (y = 0.03) and exhibit improved upconversion luminescence and a relatively better thermometric performance over the phosphors in the powder form. Strong upconversion (UC) luminescence at ~ 529, ~ 552, and ~ 662 nm assisted by a 2-photon process, cooperative luminescence from Yb3+ ion pair at 495 nm, and weak UC emissions at ~ 380 and ~ 410 nm due to 3-photon process are identified. Luminescence quenching is observed in all the UC emission bands for Yb3+ content y > 3 mol%. Sensitization from Yb3+ to Er3+ and Yb3+–(MoO4)2− dimer to Er3+ ions results in selective enhancement of the green emission. Variation of UC emission intensity with increasing dopant concentration is analyzed using Dexter’s energy transfer formula, which supports the dipole–dipole interaction between Yb3+ and Er3+ ions. Changes in fluorescence intensity ratio (I529/I552) with temperature reveal the potential usefulness of the optimized Sr0.96Er0.01Yb0.03MoO4 phosphor composition in the ceramic form for non-contact optical thermometry and exhibits good repeatability for temperature sensing applications.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the University Science Instrumentation Centre at the University of Delhi. One of the authors (Ankur Shandilya) is thankful to the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India (DST), for providing financial assistance through the Inspire Junior Research Fellowship (IF160397) during (2016-2018) and up-gradation to senior research fellowship (SRF) for the period (2019-21).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics & Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India

    Ankur Shandilya & K. Sreenivas

  2. Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India

    Ram Sagar Yadav

  3. Department of Physics, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, 845401, India

    Ajai K. Gupta

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  1. Ankur Shandilya
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Shandilya, A., Yadav, R.S., Gupta, A.K. et al. Temperature-dependent light upconversion and thermometric properties of Er3+/Yb3+-codoped SrMoO4 sintered ceramics. J Mater Sci 56, 12716–12731 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-021-06078-8

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