Synthesis, characterization and up-conversion luminescence properties of α-NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+/PVP/MOFs multilayer nanocrystals

The precursor PVP-capped α-NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+ nanospheres were used as the templates for preparing the α-NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+/PVP/MOFs multilayer nanocrystals with a self-template method. By using iron (III) carboxylate and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks dissolved in dimethylformamide (DMF) solution containing 25% of diethylene glycol (DEG), the spherical-shaped α-NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+/PVP/MIL-100 and α-NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+/PVP/ZIF-8 multilayer nanocrystals were successfully prepared with the sizes of 300-500 nm at 100oC for one hour. Under a 976-nm laser excitation at room temperature, the α-NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+/PVP/MIL-100 and α-NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+/PVP/ZIF-8 multilayer nanocrystals exhibited strong up-conversion luminescence with three emission bands centered at around 520 nm, 540 nm, and 655 nm corresponding to 2H11/2 → 4I15/2, 4S3/2 → 4I15/2, and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ ions, respectively.