“…9–13 The Eu 3+ ion usually emits strong red light, and the emission wavelength range is 550–650 nm, corresponding to the transition of the 5 D 0 to 7 F n energy level. 14–16 On the basis of the ladder-like energy levels, some of the lanthanide ions can realize UC emission, which can convert two or more lower-energy photons into one higher-energy photon. Typically, three ion pairs, Yb 3+ –Er 3+ , Yb 3+ –Tm 3+ and Yb 3+ –Ho 3+ , have attracted great attention for their efficient UC emissions through the energy transfer upconversion (ETU) mechanism, in which the sensitizer (Yb 3+ ) absorbs lower energy photons and then donates energy to the activator (Er 3+ , Tm 3+ or Ho 3+ ) sequentially.…”