Luminescence of Sm³⁺ in double perovskite-type Ba₂SrWO₆ for insect trapping

The predominant method for pest control has been the use of pesticides, which have been shown to have detrimental effects on soil, freshwater, and crop quality. Therefore, the development of novel and sustainable crop protection strategies has become increasingly imperative. In this study, a novel orange-red emitting Ba₂SrWO₆: Sm³⁺ phosphor was synthesized using the high-temperature solid-state reaction. Under ultraviolet excitation, the phosphors showed obvious emission peaks at 575, 614, and 662 nm. The Ba₂SrWO₆: Sm³⁺ was used to fabricate a fluorescence film with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and attracted twice as many insects as the blank control group under 365 nm ultraviolet light. This material holds great potential as a fluorescent agent for insect trapping in the pest control fields of tea, cotton, eggplant, rice, potato, grape, and other agricultural industries. Our findings provide an eco-friendly approach to pest management for the increment of food production.