Luminescence behaviour of the synthesized erbium and thulium co-doped potassium, sodium, lithium or rubidium yttrium double tungstate nanopowders

Abstract Nanocrystalline MIY(WO4)2 double tungstates (MI = Li, Na, K and Rb) co-doped with Er3+ and Tm3+ ions were synthesized by hydrothermal and Pechini techniques and characterised by means of X-ray diffraction, infrared absorption and electron absorption spectra. Their emission spectra and luminescence decay kinetics were recorded at ambient temperature. These investigations were focused on impact of structural changes and morphology inducing by the alkaline ion on the Er ↔ Tm energy transfer efficiency in the studied nanocrystalline oxide systems. The effect of the thermal treatment on morphology and spectroscopic properties of the synthesized nano-materials was studied. Furthermore, emission spectra attained under different excitation as well as study on luminescence decay curves made it possible to determine the differences and dynamics of feeding and relaxation of excited states involved in luminescence phenomena. The energy transfer mechanism between Er3+ and Tm3+ ions was proposed and analysed in terms its usefulness in the phosphors and optical amplifiers operating at 1.8 μm.