Nd3+, Yb3+:YF3 Nanosensors for Luminescent Thermometry

The thermometric characteristics of Nd3+ (0.5 mol %), Yb3+ (0.1; 0.5; 1.0 and 2.0 mol %):YF3 nanoparticles obtained by hydrothermal method are reported. The nanoparticles had a size of 234 ± 13 nm. The luminescence intensity ratio (LIR = INd (4F3/2 – 4I9/2, ∼866 nm)/IYb(2F5/2 – 2F7/2, ∼1000 nm) of Nd3+ and Yb3+ emissions in the temperature range of 300–500 K was used as a temperature-dependent parameter. The LIR function exhibited a monotonic shape, which is advantageous for the application of luminescent thermometry. The maximum relative sensitivity was achieved for Nd3+ (0.5 mol %), Yb3+ (1.0 mol %):YF3 (0.168% K–1 at 300 K).