Summary: | The dual-mode emission and multicolor outputs in the time domain from core-shell microcrystals are presented. The core-shell microcrystals, with NaYF<sub>4</sub>:Yb/Er as the core and NaYF<sub>4</sub>:Ce/Tb/Eu as the shell, were successfully fabricated by employing the hydrothermal method, which confines the activator ions into a separate region and minimizes the effect of surface quenching. The material is capable of both upconversion and downshifting emission, and their multicolor outputs in response to 980 nm near-infrared (NIR) excitation laser and 252 nm, and 395 nm ultraviolet (UV) excitation light have been investigated. Furthermore, the tunable color emissions by controlling the Tb<sup>3+</sup>- Eu<sup>3+</sup> ratio in shells and the energy transfer of Ce<sup>3+</sup>→Tb<sup>3+</sup>→ Eu<sup>3+</sup> were discussed in details. In addition, color tuning of core-shell-structured microrods from green to red region in the time domain could be obtained by setting suitable delay time. Due to downshifting multicolor outputs (time-resolved and pump-wavelength-induced downshifting) coupled with the upconversion mode, the core-shell microrods can be potentially applied to displays and high-level security.
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