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Whitlockite-type structure phosphors have been widely studied due to their adjustable chemical composition and abundant crystal location. Whitlockite-type phosphors can be doped with rare earth elements to achieve the emission of warm white light. White light-emitting diodes (w -LEDs) have become increasingly popular and play a significant role in many applications, such as Biosensing and fluorescent labeling. In this work, The Ca 2.6 K 0.2 La 0.2 (PO 4) 2 (CKLP) whitlockite-type phosphors co-doped with Dy3+ and Sm3+ were entered via a high-temperature solid-phase reaction. Their crystal structure, luminescence characteristics, and temperature sensitivity were explored in detail. Through doping Dy3+ and Sm3+, can obtain white light and warm white light. As the concentration of Sm3+ increased, their lifetime decreased from 0.483 ms to 0.059 ms, confirming interionic energy transfer in the host. The CKLP: 0.06Dy3+, 0.06Sm3+ phosphor prepared by Fluorescence Intensity Ratio (FIR) technology has suitable temperature sensing performance. Its relative sensitivity (Sr) and complete sensitivity (Sa) are high up to 4.48 × 10−3 k−1 and 1.021%K−1 at 298 K. The results show that CKLP: Dy3+ and Sm3+ phosphors used in w -LEDs and display devices will present excellent application potential in new optical thermometry. • The whitlockite-type structure phosphor realized white light emission. Obtained excellent color temperature coordinates, high sensitivity and realized the control of warm white light. • The whitlockite-type structure phosphors are a candidate material for non-contact optical temperature sensing and have potential anti-counterfeiting applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A series of novel luminescence phosphors Ca 9 La(PO 4) 5 (SiO 4)Cl 2 : x Eu2+ (CLPSCl:Eu2+) with apatite structure have been synthesized by a high temperature solid-state reaction. The phased purity of as-prepared phosphors was verified through XRD technique. For further discussion, a series of analysis were performed such as the photoluminescence emission and excitation spectrum and decay lifetime to identify the luminescent properties of CLPSCl:Eu2+ phosphors. The CLPSCl:Eu2+ displays broad excitation spectra ranging from 250 to 450 nm, and intends emission intensity at 461 nm under 345 nm. The optimum Eu2+ concentration of CLPSCl is 8 mol%. The luminescence decay lifetime of the optimum phosphors was measured to be 275 ns. All of the results obtained highly indicate that CLPSCl:Eu2+ is potentially blue-emitting phosphor for application in white LEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whitlockite-type structure phosphors have received extensive attention and research due to their adjustable chemical compositions in isomorphic compounds and providing rich crystal positions for doping activators. Ca 2.6 K 0.2 La 0.2 (PO 4) 2 whitlockite-type phosphors with Dy3+ singly doping and Dy3+, Eu3+ co-doping were prepared via high temperature solid-phase reaction, and the crystallographic characteristics, luminescence properties and temperature sensing performance were investigated in detail. The prepared phosphors are pure phase and both Dy3+ and Eu3+ enter into the matrix and produce blue, yellow and red emissions. The CCT values of the emitted light from Ca 2·6 K 0·2 La 0·2 (PO 4) 2 : Dy3+, Eu3+ phosphors increase with the Eu3+ concentration rises, changing from cold white light to warm white light. The integrated emission intensity of Dy3+ in the phosphor decreases with the change in the doping ratio of Dy3+ and Eu3+, causing by the energy transfer from Dy3+ to Eu3+. The Ca 2·6 K 0·2 La 0·13 (PO 4) 2 :0.06Dy3+, 0.01Eu3+ phosphor shows temperature sensing performance based on FIR technique, with the maximum relative sensitivity calculated to be 0.181% K−1. All the results reveal that the Ca 2·6 K 0·2 La 0·2 (PO 4) 2 : Dy3+, Eu3+ phosphors can be applied to w-LEDs and display devices, and can be used as a new type of optical thermometer. Dy3+/Eu3+ co-doped Ca 2·6 K 0·2 La 0·2 (PO 4) 2 phosphor applied for w-LEDS and temperature sensing. [Display omitted] • Single-phase luminescent materials Dy3+, Eu3+ co-doped Ca 2·6 K 0·2 La 0·2 (PO 4) 2 phosphor with whitlockite structure was synthesized for the first time. • The concentration quenching and energy transfer mechanisms were investigated. • The emission color of Ca 2·6 K 0·2 La 0·2 (PO 4) 2 : Dy3+, Eu3+phosphors changes from natural white light to warm white light with the increase of Eu3+ concentration. • The samples showed temperature sensing performance with maximum S a to be 2.06 × 10−3 K−1 and S r to be 0.181% K−1 under 303 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Dy3+-doped MGd 9 (SiO 4) 6 O 2 :Dy3+ (M = Li, Na, K) phosphors that generated white emission were prepared using the high temperature solid-state technique. Simultaneously, the phase composition, crystal structure, electronic structure, as well as the luminescence properties of the as-prepared phosphors were investigated in detail. The structural refinement showed that the MGd 9 (SiO 4) 6 O 2 crystallized with the hexagonal apatite-type structure. The unit cell parameters increased gradually and the main peaks of the samples in XRD patterns shifted towards high angles with the substitution of alkali-metal ions (from Li+ to K+). Under the excitation of 350 nm, the as-obtained MGd 9 (SiO 4) 6 O 2 :Dy3+ phosphors gave bright white emission with the major emission peaks centering at 454, 477 and 573 nm. And the R y/b , CIE chromaticity coordinate and the corrected color temperature (CCT) of the phosphors were adjusted from 0.96, (0.3256, 0.3625) and 4602 K to 1.13, (0.3369, 0.3582) and 4201 K attributing to the substitution in the crystal structure. The thermoluminescence study of MGd 8.90 (SiO 4) 6 O 2 :0.10Dy3+ (M = Li, Na, K) showed good stability and the decay lifetimes of the samples were estimated to be about 470 μs. All the results suggested that the luminescence properties could be modified by the substitution of alkali metal ions, and the MGd 9 (SiO 4) 6 O 2 :Dy3+ (M = Li, Na, K) phosphors have potential application as white emission candidate for w -LEDs. • Novel Dy3+ doped apatite structure phosphors were successfully synthesized. • The symmetrical environment could be modified to a certain extent owing to substitution of alkali metal ions. • The DFT calculation was used to check the electronic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Er 3+ and/or Yb 3+ doped Sr 2 ScF 7 up-conversion (UC) phosphors were synthesized, and the optimum doping concentrations of Yb 3+ and Er 3+ in the Sr 2 ScF 7 host were found to be 20% mol and 7% mol, respectively. Under excitation of 980 nm laser, the UC spectra of the samples is composed of three green emission bands from 510 to 570 nm centered at 525, 543 and 551 nm and two red emission band from 640 to 690 nm with two peaks at 657 and 671 nm, which is attributed to the 2 H 11/2 , 4 S 3/2 → 4 I 15/2 and 4 F 9/2 → 4 I 15/2 transitions of Er 3+ , respectively. The UC emission color of Er 3+ can be tuned by adjusting the intensity ratio of red to green emission through manipulating the population of red and green emitting states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel reddish Mg 3 Gd 2 Ge 3 O 12 : RE3+ (RE = Sm, Eu) phosphors with high thermal stability have been designed and developed. In this work, Mg 3 Gd 2 Ge 3 O 12 was first synthesized for being used as the phosphor host. The X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement testified that the MGGO: Sm3+ and MGGO: Eu3+ crystallized in a cubic unit cell with space group I a-3d (230). The photoluminescence properties were studied in detail, MGGO: Sm3+ and MGGO: Eu3+ can be obviously excited at 403 and 395 nm, which could guarantee efficient absorption through commercial n -UV chip. Benefiting from the inverse garnet highly rigid framework, MGGO: 0.04Sm3+ and MGGO: 0.9Eu3+ phosphors had a favorable thermal resistance due to large activation energies (MGGO: 0.04Sm3+: 0.291 eV, MGGO: 0.9Eu3+: 0.238 eV). The emission intensity of MGGO: 0.04Sm3+ and MGGO: 0.9Eu3+ can still preserve about 97.85% and 91.58% at working temperature (423 K) compared to the initial intensity (298 K). All results indicated Mg 3 Gd 2 Ge 3 O 12 : RE3+ (RE = Sm, Eu) phosphors have potential usage for full-spectrum w-LED applications as red component. • Crystal structure of MGGO: 0.04Sm3+ and MGGO: 0.9Eu3+ phosphors are investigated in detail. • MGGO: 0.04Sm3+ and MGGO: 0.9Eu3+ phosphors have a favorable thermal resistance due to large activation energies. • MGGO: 0.04Sm3+ and MGGO: 0.9Eu3+ can be obviously excited at 403 and 395 nm. • CIE chromaticity coordinates of MGGO: 0.04Sm3+ and MGGO: 0.9Eu3+ are (0.5153, 0.4709) and (0.4937, 0.3765). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A series of reddish-emitting apatite-type phosphor LiGd 9 (SiO 4) 6 O 2 :Sm3+ was prepared by using an appropriate solid-state method. The photoluminescence (PL), photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra, and decay times of the samples were characterized to investigate the photoluminescence properties for application in white light-emitting diodes (w -LEDs). The photoluminescence investigations showed that LiGd 9 (SiO 4) 6 O 2 :Sm3+ phosphor emitted reddish emission, which ascribed to the transitions of the Sm3+ from the 4G 5/2 excited state to the 6H 5/2 , 6H 7/2 , and 6H 9/2 states, respectively. The critical quenching concentration of Sm3+ in LiGd 9 (SiO 4) 6 O 2 phosphors were determined to be about 3 mol%. Moreover, the spectroscopic data and fluorescence decay dynamics indicate that the energy transfer from Gd3+ to Sm3+ ions takes place in LiGd 9 (SiO 4) 6 O 2 : Sm3+ phosphor. All the results indicated that the LiGd 9 (SiO 4) 6 O 2 : Sm3+ phosphor could efficiently assimilate the near ultraviolet (n -UV) light and act as a suitable warm light candidate for n -UV w -LEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of blue-emitting La 5.90− x Ba 4+ x (SiO 4 ) 6− x (PO 4 ) x F 2 :0.10Ce 3+ ( x = 0, 1, 2, and 3) phosphors with apatite structure were synthesized by a solid-state reaction. The crystal structure and the photoluminescence properties were investigated in detail. The crystallographic occupancy of Ce 3+ in La 2.90 Ce 0.10 Ba 7 (SiO 4 ) 3 (PO 4 ) 3 F 2 and La 5.90 Ce 0.10 Ba 4 (SiO 4 ) 6 F 2 were studied based on Rietveld refinements results and the crystal chemistry rules. La 5.90− x Ba 4+ x (SiO 4 ) 6− x (PO 4 ) x F 2 :0.10Ce 3+ exhibited strong blue light emission in the range of 407–414 nm with high thermal stability upon excitation at 276 nm. Besides, the activation energy E of La 5.90 Ce 0.10 Ba 4 (SiO 4 ) 6 F 2 and La 2.90 Ce 0.10 Ba 7 (SiO 4 ) 3 (PO 4 ) 3 F 2 phosphors were calculated to be 0.152 and 0.177 eV. These results suggest that La 5.90− x Ba 4+ x (SiO 4 ) 6− x (PO 4 ) x F 2 :0.10Ce 3+ is a potential blue phosphor candidate for near-UV-pumped w -LEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphor is the decisive material in white light-emitting diodes (WLED), affecting light quality. Silica phosphate has good stability, low cost and environmentally friendly features, so it has great application potential. In this paper, a self-activated reddish-orange phosphor Ca 3 Gd 7 (PO 4)(SiO 4) 5 O 2 : x Sm3+ was prepared by the high-temperature solid-phase method. The phase purity of the sample was verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The Rietveld refinement method was used to resolve further the sample structure and the location of the substitution of rare earth ions. The photoluminescence properties were studied in detail using fluorescence spectra, temperature-dependent emission spectra and other characterization methods. The electron transition and energy transfer processes of Gd3+ in Ca 3 Gd 7 (PO 4)(SiO 4) 5 O 2 were analyzed. The fluorescence decay curve of the sample was obtained, which belongs to the double exponential curve, and the decay lifetime depending on the Sm3+ doping concentration was calculated. Furthermore, a WLED device was assembled, and warm white light was obtained, with a spectrum showing characteristic red emission, proving to complement the missing red component of commercial WLEDs. These results indicate that Ca 3 Gd 7 (PO 4)(SiO 4) 5 O 2 : x Sm3+ phosphor has great potential for application. • The reddish-orange-Emitting phosphor Ca 3 Gd 7 (PO 4)(SiO 4) 5 O 2 : x Sm3+ was obtained via the high-temperature solid-state method. • The structure of Ca 3 Gd 7 (PO 4)(SiO 4) 5 O 2 : x Sm3+ phosphor, including the incorporation sites of Sm3+, were investigated. • The mechanism of energy transfer in the luminescence process of samples was studied. • The optical properties of Ca 3 Gd 7 (PO 4)(SiO 4) 5 O 2 : x Sm3+ reddish-orange-emitting phosphor were investigated carefully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of novel Na 3 Ga (1- x ) F 6 : x Eu 3+ ( x  = 1%, 3%, 5%, 7% and 10%) phosphors were synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis method. The crystal structure and luminescence properties of Na 3 GaF 6 :Eu 3+ were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) and photoluminescent excitation spectra (PLE) as well as decay curves. The results indicated that Eu 3+ can replace Ga 3+ in the lattice of Na 3 GaF 6 without any impurity. The micro-particle of the phosphor was uniform and regular with a smooth surface. Upon 395 nm excitation, the phosphors show intense reddish-orange color including a series of narrow peaks attributed to the typical f–f transition of Eu 3+ . Not like most of other rare-earth doped sample, the Na 3 GaF 6 :Eu 3+ phosphors show obvious anti-thermal quenching behavior. All the results demonstrated that Na 3 GaF 6 :Eu 3+ phosphors exhibit good luminescent properties and might have a potential to applications in lighting technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upconversion phosphors Sr 2 LaF 7 co-doped with Yb 3+ and Er 3+ are synthesized via hydrothermal method. The phase compositions of Sr 2 LaF 7 phosphors with different amounts of Yb 3+ and Er 3+ dopants, pH values, and complexing agents are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The crystal structure and morphology of Sr 2 LaF 7 phosphor doped with 15% Yb 3+ / 1% Er 3+ is refined by the Rietveld method and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Under 980 nm laser excitation, Yb 3+ and Er 3+ co-doped Sr 2 LaF 7 phosphors exhibit red emission around 670 nm generated by the 4 F 9/2 → 4 I 15/2 transition and green emissions centering around 550 nm and 523 nm generated by the 4 S 3/2 → 4 I 15/2 and 2 H 11/2 → 4 I 15/2 transitions of Er 3+ , respectively. The optimum synthetic conditions for upconversion luminescence for Sr 2 LaF 7 co-doped with Yb 3+ and Er 3+ are discussed and determined to be 15% Yb 3+ / 1% Er 3+ with EDTA-2Na as the complexing agent under pH value = 8, and the corresponding Commission International de L′Eclairage (CIE) coordinates are calculated to be x  = 0.4293 and y  = 0.5589 with reddish yellow color visible to naked eyes under the 980 nm laser excitation. The related upconversion mechanisms of Yb 3+ and Er 3+ co-doped Sr 2 LaF 7 depending on the pump power are also studied in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, Ce 3+ -activated iso-structural solid solutions La 5.99 Ce 0.01 M 4 (SiO 4 ) 6 F 2 (M = Ca, Sr and Ba) compounds were prepared for the first time. The structure and luminescence properties of the samples were investigated to explore the difference of cation substitution. The phase analysis indicated that all XRD peaks of the samples were indexed by a hexagonal cell with the space group of P 6 3 /m, and the phosphors showed strong blue light emission with broad bands. With the isomorphous substitution of Ba → Sr → Ca, the average bond length between Ce 3+ and anions is decreased and the crystal field around Ce 3+ is strengthened, resulting in the red-shift (from 410 nm to 423 nm) of the emission wavelength for La 5.99 Ce 0.01 M 4 (SiO 4 ) 6 F 2 (M = Ca, Sr, Ba). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Er 3+ / Yb 3+ doped BaIn 2 O 4 up-conversion (UC) phosphors are synthesized and their UC luminescent properties are characterized. BaIn 2 O 4 has P 21 /c space group but Rietveld refinement suggests it has twice smaller cell parameter (a = 10.3975 Å, b = 5.8295 Å, c = 14.4457 Å) and volume than previous reported structure. Refinement also reveals Er 3+ /Yb 3+ replaces In 3+ ions in lattice because of the existence of InO 6 octahedra. In these BaIn 2 O 4 phosphors, co-doping with Yb 3+ ions changes the predominant UC emission from green ( 2 H 11/2 , 4 S 3/2 → 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ ) to red (about 665 nm, 4 F 9/2 → 4 I 15/2 of Er 3+ ). By controlling of Er 3+ /Yb 3+ concentrations, the BaIn 2 O 4 phosphors have the potential of generating various UC spectra and color tunability. The pumping powers study shows two-photon process in these phosphors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ca 9 La(PO 4 ) 5 (SiO 4 )Cl 2 :Dy 3+ (CLPSCl:Dy 3+ ) powder phosphor with apatite structure has been successfully synthesized via high-temperature solid state method. Single phase in such phosphor was verified through X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The Dy ions concentration dependent luminescence properties including emission, excitation and lifetimes of Dy ions were characterized using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The results showed that CLPSCl:Dy 3+ phosphor could efficiently assimilate the n -UV light and emit blue (~486 nm) and yellow light (~578 nm), originating from the f-f transitions of Dy 3+ . The critical Dy 3+ quenching concentration (QC) was determined to be about 12 mol%. The concentration quenching mechanism was also determined to be dipole–dipole interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, La 1.45 Ce 0.05 Ba 3.5 (SiO 4 ) 1.5 (PO4) 1.5 F compound with apatite structure was synthesized via solid state reaction method. The phosphor exhibits two strong excitation bands at 279 nm and 345 nm in near ultraviolet light region. When excited at 345 nm, the emission peaks of the phosphor give a red-shift from 406 nm to 418 nm compared with that of 279 nm excitation. Besides, the site occupation of Ce 3+ was proposed based on structure refinement, luminescence, fluorescence decay curves, as well as CIE diagram. All the results indicated that Ce 3+ can occupy sites of La 3+ with nine and seven coordination and a possible mechanism was proposed to explain the luminescence properties observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pc -LEDs (phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes) are a relatively new generation of light sources frequently used for room lighting, backlighting, and plant development on account of numerous advantages, such as compactness, good stability, low energy consumption, and environmental friendliness. However, the absence of red-light emission limits the practical application of pc-LEDs. For example, pc-LEDs have a high correlated color temperature and a low rendering index. Here, a group of far-red emitting Mn4+-doped Ca 2 GdZr 2 Al 3 O 12 (CGZA: Mn4+) phosphors was effectively synthesized using a solid-state reaction technique at 1450 °C. The phase purity, morphology, and fluorescence properties of prepared phosphors were investigated using XRD, SEM, PL/PLE, and fluorescence decay analysis, respectively. Under a 344-nm excitation, CGZA: Mn4+ emitted high-purity far-red light with a peak at approximately 702 nm. Phosphor quenching was observed once the Mn4+ concentration reached 0.3 mol%. The concentration quenching mechanism of Mn4+in the CGZA matrix resulted from electric dipole-dipole interactions. An important result was that the PL band was well superposed on the absorption bands of phytochromes Pr and Pfr. The PL intensity was 50% of the initial value at 373 K. These experimental results demonstrated the board application potential of the prepared phosphors for plant breeding. • Mn4+ is found to show far red photoluminescence in Ca 2 GdZr 2 Al 3 O 12 host for the first time. • A discussion is given on the luminescent properties of Mn4+ ion in Ca 2 GdZr 2 Al 3 O 12 host. • The Ca 2 GdZr 2 Al 3 O 12 :xMn4+ far-red phosphors are promising for use in plant cultivation lighting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tb 3+ –Sm 3+ co-doped Ba 3 NaLa(PO 4 ) 3 F phosphors with apatite structure have been prepared by a high temperature solid-state reaction, and their luminescence properties have been investigated in detail. The energy transfer (ET) mechanism was verified as the dipole–quadrupole mechanism, and the ET efficiency as well as the critical distance is also estimated. As a result of fine-tuning of the emission composition of the Tb 3+ and Sm 3+ ions, tunable luminescence properties can be realized by combining the emission of Tb 3+ and Sm 3+ in a single host lattice under UV light excitation. The emission color of the obtained phosphors can be modulated from green to yellow by controlling the doping content of the Sm 3+ ions with the fixed Tb 3+ content. Additional, as the temperature increases from RT to 150 °C, the PL intensities of Ba 3 NaLa 0.7 (PO 4 ) 3 F:0.10Tb 3+ ,0.20Sm 3+ decreased to 80.4% and 78.6% of the initial PL intensity, corresponding to the intensity of transition of Sm 3+ and transition of Tb 3+ in the Ba 3 NaLa 0.7 (PO 4 ) 3 F:0.10Tb 3+ ,0.20Sm 3+ phosphor, respectively. These results indicate the series of Ba 3 NaLa 1− x − y (PO 4 ) 3 F: x Tb 3+ , y Sm 3+ phosphors can be acted as a good candidate for the application in white light-emitting diodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryolite was considered to be an ideal up-conversion host material due to its low phonon energy, which can effectively suppress the radiation-free transition process of excited state energy levels. In the present paper, a novel up-conversion material K 3 YF 6 :Ho3+, Yb3+ with cryolite structure was prepared successfully using a high-temperature solid state method. The up-conversion luminescence properties of K 3 YF 6 doped with different Ho3+/Yb3+ doping ratio were investigated and the optimal doping ratio were confirmed in this system. Under 980 nm excitation, Ho3+/Yb3+ co-doped K 3 YF 6 revealed a strong green emission at the 541 nm, 549 nm and a weak red emission peaking at 666 nm, corresponding to the 5F 4 , 5S 2 →5I 8 and 5F 5 →5I 8 transitions of Ho3+, respectively. All the red and green up-conversion emission of K 3 YF 6 :Ho3+, Yb3+ belong to two-photon process and energy transfer from Yb3+ to Ho3+ simultaneously. Additionally, to understand the energy transfer and electronic transition process of the red and green light emitted, the possible luminescence mechanism were also analyzed in this paper. All the results indicate that Ho3+/Yb3+ co-doped K 3 YF 6 have potential application value in green up-conversion luminescent materials. • Single-phase up-conversion luminescent materials K 3 YF 6 : Ho3+,Yb3+ with cryolite structure were obtained for the first time. • The up-conversion luminescence properties and mechanism of the as-prepared samples were analyzed under excitation of 980 nm. • Two-phonon up-conversion phenomenon was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, K 3 ScF 6 :Yb3+, Tm3+ phosphor with a cubic cryolite phase were prepared by means of high-temperature solid-state method. The crystal structure and up-conversion luminescence properties of Tm3+ and Yb3+ co-doped K 3 ScF 6 were investigated in detail. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS), elemental mapping and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to analyze the elements composition, elemental distribution and valence states of samples. Under an excitation wavelength at 980 nm, all the samples displayed blue and red emission. When gradually increasing the concentration of Tm3+ in K 3 ScF 6 :0.2 Yb3+, Tm3+ and Yb3+ in K 3 ScF 6 : 0.01 Tm3+, Yb3+, the emission intensity of the samples appeared obviously concentration quenching effect, and the optimum concentration of Tm3+ and Yb3+ were confirmed to 0.01 and 0.20 mol%. Additionally, the effect of pump power on up-conversion emission intensity and the energy transfer mechanism between the Tm3+ and Yb3+ in these samples were analyzed in detail. • Single-phase Tm3+/Yb3+ co-doped K 3 ScF 6 with cryolite structure were synthesized for the first time. • Up-conversion properties of K 3 ScF 6 : Yb3+, Tm3+ were studied. • Mechanism of up-conversion was analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]