NaGdF 4 : Ln 3+ (Ln 3+ = Dy 3+ , Tb 3+ ) nanophosphors: Green-emitting and energy transfer excited by UV and n-UV light

Abstract A series of Dy3+ or/and Tb3+ doped hexagonal NaGdF4 nanophosphors with an average size of 108 nm were successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method and characterized by some techniques. The results indicate that the Dy3+ or Tb3+ ions individually activated NaGdF4 exhibit the excellent characteristic emissions of Dy3+ or Tb3+ ions under the excitation of UV light. Dy3+ and Tb3+ ions co-doped NaGdF4 phosphors can be pumped by n-UV light to emit green light. Moreover, the energy transfer phenomenon from Dy3+ to Tb3+ ions is clearly observed in NaGdF4: Dy3+, Tb3+ samples. This kind of green nanophosphors has potential applications in the field of photoelectronic devices.