Eu(3+), Tb(3+)- and Er(3+), Yb(3+)-Doped α-MoO(3) Nanosheets for Optical Luminescent Thermometry

Here we report a novel synthesis approach for the preparation of α-MoO(3):Ln(3+) materials employing a two-step synthesis. Additionally, in this work the α-MoO(3):Ln(3+) materials are reported as potential optical thermometers for the first time. In this synthesis approach, first MoS(2) 2D nanosheets were prepared, which were further heat treated to obtain α-MoO(3). These materials were fully characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and luminescence spectroscopy. Temperature-dependent luminescence measurements were carried out to determine the optical thermometric properties of two different types of α-MoO(3):Ln(3+) materials (Eu(3+)/Tb(3+) downshifting and Er(3+)/Yb(3+) upconversion luminescence systems). We demonstrate in this study that this class of material could be a potential candidate for temperature-sensing applications.