Infrared-to-visible upconversion emission intensities are investigated in Li+ and Er3+ codoped ZnO nanocrystals. Li+ ions doped in ZnO/Er3+ nanocrystals can greatly enhance the upconversion emission intensity of Er3+ ions. The extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy data show that both the Er−O bond length and coordination number of the Er−Er bond have been altered by introducing Li+ ions in the ZnO/Er3+ nanocrystals. The variation of Er−O bond length leads to the change in the local asymmetry around Er3+ ions. Meanwhile, the greater coordination number of the Er−Er bond causes stronger interaction between neighboring Er3+ ions and, hence, strengthens the reaction Er3+ (4F7/2) + Er3+ (4I11/2) → 2Er3+ (4F9/2). In this process, the 4F9/2 state is a metastable state that could be excited to the 2H9/2 state by absorbing one photon at high excitation power. Li+ ions also can reduce the OH groups in specimen, which is the other reason for enhancing the upconversion emission intensities.

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