Effect of different glasses on solubility and luminescent properties of β-NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺/Tm³⁺ microcrystals

The composites of β-NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺/Tm³⁺ incorporated in silicate glasses, borate glasses and phosphate glasses were formed into pellets under pressure and annealed under different temperature (400~700°C). The effect of different glasses formers and alkali metal ions on solubility and luminescent properties of β-NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺/Tm³⁺ microcrystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The results show that Li⁺ ions and K⁺ ions can replace Na⁺ ions in β-NaYF₄ microcrystals at low heat treatment temperature. The solubility of β-NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺/Tm³⁺ microcrystals in different glasses systems is investigated as follows: phosphate glasses>borate glasses>silicate glasses.