Simultaneous Enhancement and Modulation of Upconversion by Thermal Stimulation in Sc2Mo3O12 Crystals

Rational control of photoluminescence against a change in temperature is important for fundamental research and technological applications. Herein, we report an anomalous temperature dependence of upconversion luminescence in Yb/Ho co-doped Sc2Mo3O12 crystals. By leveraging negative thermal expansion of the crystal lattice, energy transfer between the lanthanide dopants is promoted as the temperature is increased from 303 to 573 K, resulting in an ∼5-fold enhancement of the emission. Meanwhile, the emission profile is also substantially altered due to the concurrent thermal quenching of selective energy states, corresponding to a clear shift in color from green to red. Via correlation of the red-to-green emission intensity ratio of Ho3+ dopant ions with temperature, a ratiometric luminescence thermometer is constructed with a maximum sensitivity of 2.75% K–1 at 543 K. As the Sc2Mo3O12 crystals are thermally stable and nonhygroscopic, our findings highlight a general approach for highly reversible control of upconversion by temperature in ambient air.