Spectral manipulation from green to red by doping Ce3+ in Ba4Y3F17:Yb3+, Ho3+ nanoparticles embedded in glass-ceramics

Spectral engineering for luminescence materials, referring to the purposeful design and modulation of luminescence properties, such as tuning of luminescence intensity and color, is extremely crucial in improving luminescence performance and extending optical applications. In this work, Yb3+-Ho3+-Ce3+ tri-doped Ba4Y3F17 nanoparticles precipitated in transparent glass-ceramics were successfully fabricated via a melt-quenching method. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used for characterizing the morphology, particle size, and crystal structure of samples. Low probability of multi-phonon non-radiative relaxation and incorporation of rare earth ion into Ba4Y3F17 crystalline lattice with low phonon energy result in pronounced enhancement of upconversion emission and longer lifetimes with excitation of a 980-nm laser. Introduction of Ce3+ ions can modulate emission color from green to yellow and finally to red. Detailed emission kinetics, rising time, and pump power dependency were analyzed for proposing and understanding the possible energy transfer mechanisms. •The glass ceramics containing Ba4Y3F17: Ho3+, Ce3+ nanoparticles were fabricated.•The upconversion mechanisms were proposed via analysis of luminescent properties.•Spectral manipulation from green to red can be achieved via Ce3+ doping.•Cross-relaxation processes between Ce3+ and Ho3+ are responsible for color tuning.•The efficiency of energy transfer was estimated.