Herein, the infrared-responsive photocatalyst NaYF4:Yb,Tm@ZnO has been successfully synthesized by combining semiconductor ZnO with an upconversion material, NaYF4:Yb,Tm. In this composite, NaYF4:Yb,Tm emits intense ultraviolet and blue upconversion luminescence upon excitation by a 980 nm laser and provides the necessary energy of ultraviolet light to ZnO. The photocatalytic activity of NaYF4:Yb,Tm@ZnO composites has been studied using methylene blue by irradiation with a 980 nm laser, and the results indicate that the NaYF4:Yb,Tm@ZnO composite is an advanced near-infrared-driven photocatalyst; this study presents a promising strategy to utilize the near-infrared-responsive upconversion materials for photocatalytic applications.
