Morphology modulation and near infrared to visible upconversion luminescence properties of Er3+/Yb3+-doped α-NiMoO4 nanoparticles

In this work, for the first time, the near infrared (NIR) to visible upconversion luminescence (UCL) properties of α-NiMoO4 were explored by doping with Er3+/Yb3+ ions. A microwave hydrothermal method was used to fabricate Er3+ (2 mol%)/Yb3+ (12–20 mol%)-doped α-NiMoO4 phosphors. X-ray diffraction patterns suggest the formation of the Yb2(MoO4)3 phase, which is beneficial for UCL enhancement. Nanorods (α-NiMoO4), bundles of rods (α-NiMoO4: Er3+), and cactus (α-NiMoO4: Er3+/Yb3+)-like morphologies were obtained, and a morphology modulation mechanism has been proposed. TEM elemental mapping, XPS, and UV–Vis DRS measurements confirm the existence of Ni, Mo, O, Er, and Yb elements in the samples. The synthesized samples demonstrate intense green (522 nm: 2H11/2 → 4I15/2 and 546: 4S3/2 → 4I15/2), weak red (660 nm: 4F9/2 → 4I15/2), and NIR (803 nm: 4S3/2 → 4I13/2) emissions under 980 nm excitation. Downshifting emission was also obtained at 1538 nm (Er3+: 4I13/2 → 4I15/2). The highest emission intensity was achieved in the Er3+ (2 mol%)/Yb3+ (15 mol%)-doped α-NiMoO4 sample. An intense green color and strong UCL were observed in the MN/Er2/Yb15 sample based on CIE chromaticity and fluorescence decay curves. A graph of pump power versus intensity for the phosphor samples indicates that the upconversion process occurs by two photonic processes. The proposed energy transfer process is explained based on ground state absorption and excited state absorption. The particles were found to be safe at doses up to 0.125 mg/mL, as assessed by cytotoxicity investigation in bovine skeletal muscle cells. The obtained results open the possibilities of potential applications of Er3+/Yb3+-doped α-NiMoO4 as an efficient luminescent material for bioimaging applications.