Optical transition properties, 1550-to-980 nm upconversion, and temperature sensing of NaEr(WO4)2:Yb3+ phosphors synthesized via the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method

Abstract

Improving photoelectric conversion efficiency and enhancing heat management are two critical considerations for silicon-based solar cells. In this study, efficient Yb3+ infrared emissions through the upconversion process were achieved by adjusting the concentrations of Yb3+ in Er3+ highly condensed NaEr(WO4)2 phosphor. Additionally, the temperature sensing based on the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) was also studied in this tungstate system. Moreover, the radiative transition rates for all relevant transitions of Er3+ in NaEr(WO4)2:Yb3+ phosphors were calculated in the framework of Judd-Ofelt theory, and the optical transition properties of Yb3+ were also revealed by taking Er3+ as a reference. It was found that the radiative transition rate of Yb3+:2F5/2→2F7/2 (2977.52s−1) is significantly higher than that of Er3+:4I11/2→4I15/2 (303.50s−1), thus suggesting the feasibility for the strong emission at 980 nm of Yb3+ in assistance of the energy transfer 4I11/2+2F7/2→4I15/2+2F5/2. Finally, strong and nearly pure NIR emissions of Yb3+ were experimentally observed under 1550 nm excitation, and possible upconversion mechanisms were proposed. The temperature sensing performance of the studied materials was also assessed. All the results imply that NaEr(WO4)2:Yb3+ constitutes an excellent material for enhancing both the photoelectric conversion efficiency and thermal management of silicon-based solar cells.