Synthesis of upconverting nanosheets derived from Er-Yb and Tm-Yb Co-doped layered perovskites and their layer-by-layer assembled films

Here, we investigated the structure and upconversion (UC) properties of new-type of single oxide nanosheets, derived from the Er3+/Yb3+ and Tm3+/Yb3+ co-doped Ruddlesden-Popper type layered perovskites, and their layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembled nanofilms. The single oxide nanosheets, obtained by exfoliation of the proton-exchanged K2La2Ti3O10, had the thickness in the range of 2-3 nm indicating good consistency with the theoretical thickness and lateral size from 500 nm up to 2 mu m. Er3+/Yb3+, Tm3+/Yb3+ and Tm3+/Er3+co-doped nanosheets were used as building blocks of the multilayer films deposited by layer-by-layer procedure. The LBL films composed of 2.5 % Er3+ + 5 % Yb3+, 2.5 % Tm3+ + 20 % Yb3+, 2.5 % Tm3+ + 20 % Er3+ after 60 sequences have shown a white emission confirmed by the CIE chromaticity diagram. The possible UC energy transfer of LBL films fabricated after 30 sequences using the nanosheets derived from the 2.5 % Er3+ + 5 % Yb3+ co-doped layered perovskites was also suggested. The number of photons participating in the UC process was confirmed as two-photon for both green and red UC emissions due to the F-4(9/2) -> I-4(15/2) and H-2(11/2), S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2) transitions, respectively.