Fluorescent Thermal Feedback in Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ Doped Y₂Ti₂O₇ Electrospun Nanofibers

One-dimensional (1D) Y₂Ti₂O₇ (YTO): Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ nanofibers with diameters ranging from 300 to 400 nm were synthesized by an electrospinning technology and the structure of YTO nanofibers was identified as face-centered cubic pyrochlores. The detected green and red signals in the upconversion emission spectra under 980 nm laser excitation are due to the radiative transitions (⁵F₄ ⁵S₂) → ⁵I₈ and ⁵F₅ → ⁵I₈ of Ho³⁺ ions, respectively. YTO: Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ nanofibers have the characteristics of porosity, three-dimensional braidability, high specific surface area and controllable structure, which improves the performance of optical temperature sensing. Furthermore, the nanofiber membranes consisting of YTO: Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ with temperature sensing performance can work steadily at medium temperature range in view of its fast responses and high stability, moreover, a maximum sensitivity about 0.18% K^-1 at 423 K, which indicates that the nanofibers have good thermal sensitivity. 1D nanostructure rare earth ion-doped cubic pyrochlore material was proven to obtain excellent upconversion luminescence properties, which provides a new route for the development of sensitive optical temperature-sensing materials.