Microwave-modified sol-gel preparation of La2(MoO4)3:Er3+/Yb3 particles and their upconversion photoluminescence properties

$La_{2-x}(MoO_4)_3:Er^{3+}/Yb^{3+}$ particles with doping concentrations of $Er^{3+}$ and $Yb^{3+}$ ($x=Er^{3+}+Yb^{3+}$, $Er^{3+}$=0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and $Yb^{3+}$ = 0.2, 0.45) were successfully prepared by the microwave-modified sol-gel method, and the upconversion photoluminescence properties were investigated. Well-crystallized particles, formed after heat-treatment at $900^{\circ}C$ for 16 h, showed a fine and homogeneous morphology with particle sizes of $2-5{\mu}m$. Under excitation at 980 nm, $La_{1.7}(MoO_4)_3:Er_{0.1}Yb_{0.2}$ and $La_{1.5}(MoO_4)_3:Er_{0.05}Yb_{0.45}$ particles exhibited a strong 525 nm emission band, a weak 550 nm emission band in the green region, and a very weak 655 nm emission band in the red region. The Raman spectra of the doped particles indicated the presence of strong peaks at higher frequencies of 752, 846, 922, 1358 and $1435cm^{-1}$ and lower frequency of $314cm^{-1}$ induced by the disorder of the $[MoO_4]^{2-}$ groups with the incorporation of the $Er^{3+}$ and $Yb^{3+}$ elements into the crystal lattice or by a new phase formation.