Upconversion luminescence properties of BaMoO4: Yb3+, Ln3+ (Ln3+ = Er3+/Tm3+, Er3+/Tm3+/Ho3+) micro-octahedrons

Yb3+, Ln3+ (Ln3+ = Er3+/Tm3+, Er3+/Tm3+/Ho3+) doped BaMoO4 micro-octahedrons were synthesized by a hydrothermal process. The as-prepared phosphors were characterized by x-ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, elemental mapping, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The upconversion luminescence properties of the samples were investigated under 980 nm near infrared excitation. The different concentrations of Er3+, Tm3+, and Ho3+ were used for tuning the multicolor (blue, green, and red) emissions. The multicolor emissions were investigated by Commission Internationale de l'Elcairage chromaticity and decay lifetime. The photon process as well as the energy transfer mechanism between the Yb3+ to Er3+, Tm3+, and Ho3+ were described.