Temperature-sensing
media based on the fluorescence intensity ratio
(FIR) of upconversion materials that suffer from low sensitivity owing
to the small energy gap still have a need for new compounds with strong
upconversion luminescence (UCL). In this work, a series of MSc2O4:Er3+/Yb3+ (M = Mg, Ca,
Sr, and Ba) nanocrystals were prepared by a hydrothermal method using
NaOH alkaline solution. The structure, morphology, and UCL characteristics
of materials were investigated, and the red UCL of the CaSc2O4:Er3+/Yb3+ sample was dramatically
enhanced by a factor of ∼12, ∼23, and ∼2000 compared
with SrSc2O4, MgSc2O4,
and BaSc2O4 samples, respectively. By adjusting
alkali ions (Li+, Na+, K+), the UCL
intensities of CaSc2O4:Er3+/Yb3+ and SrSc2O4:Er3+/Yb3+ samples were further improved, especially in the presence
of Li+ ions. Excellent temperature-sensing behaviors are
realized for CaSc2O4:Er3+/Yb3+ and SrSc2O4:Er3+/Yb3+ samples in the presence of Li+ ions, in which
the maximum absolute sensitivity S
A values
are about 0.0041 and 0.0036 K–1 at 600 K and the
corresponding relative sensitivity S
R values
are expressed as 1197/T2 and 1129/T2 (the current
optimal S
R = 1289/T2), respectively.
The intense UCL and excellent S
A and S
R values indicate that CaSc2O4:Er3+/Yb3+ and SrSc2O4:Er3+/Yb3+ materials are promising candidates
for application in high-temperature sensors working under 980 nm excitation.
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