Preparation and NIR light-driven photocatalytic properties of β-NaYF4:Yb3+, Tm3+/ZnO core-shell composites

Abstract

Abstract A novel UV/NIR light-driven β-NaYF4:Yb3+, Tm3+/ZnO core-shell composites were prepared via microwave assisted hydrothermal technology. The results of characterize indicated that the β-NaYF4:Yb3+, Tm3+/ZnO was obtained by loading ZnO on the surface of β-NaYF4:Yb3+, Tm3+, which could efficiently absorb the UV emission light via upconversion process of β-NaYF4:Yb3+, Tm3+. The degradation of MB using β-NaYF4:Yb3+, Tm3+/ZnO particles as photocatalyst under irradiation of simulated sunlight without UV light showed photocatalytic activity of β-NaYF4:Yb3+, Tm3+/ZnO could be driven under irradiation of NIR light.