Enhancement of Tb–Yb quantum cutting luminescence with Ag nanostructures and photonic crystals

Abstract NIR(near infrared)-emitting rare-earth ion doped quantum cutting materials has attracted interest in the recent years due to its potential applications in solar cells, bio-sensing, food-processing industry, and night-vision technologies, among others. However, these applications are limited by their low quantum cutting luminescent intensity and efficiency, low 4f-4f transition excitation, and high unwanted spontaneous decay of dopant. Here, two strategies of local electromagnetic field modulation to improve the quantum cutting NIR emissions of Tb–Yb in NaYF4 nanoparticles were used synergistically. The photonic band-gap could effectively suppress the spontaneous emission of Tb3+, and enhance the energy transfer efficiency of Tb–Yb. Additionally, triangular Ag nanoparticles could provide a suitable plasma resonance local field to improve Tb3+ excitation efficiency. According to the findings of this study, the quantum cutting efficiency of Tb–Yb could be increased up to 145.93%.