Co-Doping Effects of Zn²⁺ on Upconversion Luminescence of Gd₂O₃:Er Nanophosphors

Abstract

Zn2+ and Er3+ ions co-doped Gd2O3 nanophosphors were synthesized via a citric acid complexing method. The crystalline characterization shows that the Zn2+ doping induced a shrinking effect of the host cell by changing the lattice constant. Both Stokes photoluminescence and upconversion emission were significantly enhanced by the Zn2+ doping. The reason for emission enhancement was mainly ascribed to the lowered crystal symmetry of lattice by introducing oxygen vacancy.