Synthesis and luminescence properties of CaMoO 4 : Er 3+ /Yb 3+ nanoparticles

Microwave-assisted method have been chosen to synthesize Er 3+ /Yb 3+ co-doped CaMoO 4 upconversion luminescence nanoparticles. Microscopic morphology, microstructure and luminescence properties of the samples were characterized by Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffractions and fluorescence spectroscopy. CaMoO 4 : Er 3+ /Yb 3+ samples were composed of many small spherical particles and size of the particle was about 100 nm. Different factors (pH, microwave time, sintering temperature) that affect luminescent properties have been studied. The fluorescence intensity of upconversion luminescence particles in acid and neutral solutions was stronger; with increasing microwave time, the fluorescence intensity increased first and then decreased, 9 min of microwave time of nanoparticles showed the strongest fluorescence intensity; as sintering temperature increased, 800 °C reached the strongest fluorescence intensity. Green emission at 532 nm ( 2 H 11/2 → 4 I 15/2 ) and 554 nm ( 4 S 3/2 → 4 I 15/2 ) can occur through a two-photon process. The current work paves the way for their potential application in optical maser.