Electrospinning-derived YVO4:Er/Yb nanowires and nanotubes with temperature sensitivity of their up-converted emission

Abstract YVO4:Er/Yb nanowires and nanotubes phosphors were prepared by electrospinning technique following calcination at different heating rates. The obtained nanowires are of 80–200 nm in diameter and are single crystals or polycrystalline in phase. The outer diameter of the obtained nanotubes is 50–200 nm with a wall thickness of 20–30 nm. The up-conversion properties of YVO4:Er3+/Yb3+ nanowires and nanotubes were investigated. All samples were found to produce a green up-converted emission. The temperature-sensing features of YVO4:Er3+/Yb3+ nanowires and nanotubes were investigated through the fluorescence intensity ratio approach, and the sensitivity of temperature was determined over the temperature range of 30–390 °C. The temperature sensing sensitivities of the mixed YVO4:Er3+/Yb3+ nanowire samples and nanotubes exceeded the single YVO4:Er3+/Yb3+ nanowire samples because of higher Yb3+-doped concentrations. The morphology influence on optical properties was studied at a fixed doping rare earth concentration and size. The temperature sensitivities of YVO4:Er/Yb samples depended on the Yb ion concentrations rather than the morphology. The significant temperature sensitivity indicates its potential for use as an optical temperature sensing probe.