A review of recent developments in rare earth-doped nanophosphors for emerging technological applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Luminescence

Background:

• Rare-earth-doped nanophosphors (RENPs) are crucial for advanced optical applications.
• Optimizing host materials (tungstates, vanadates, aluminates) and rare-earth ions (e.g., Eu3+, Tb3+) is key to enhancing luminescent properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the synthesis of RENPs with tailored luminescent characteristics.
• To investigate the potential of RENPs and upconversion nanophosphors (UCNPs) in lighting, sensing, and dosimetry.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis via sol-gel, combustion, and microwave-assisted techniques.
• Characterization of photoluminescence, luminous efficiency, and chromaticity.
• Evaluation of UCNPs for sensing and RENPs for thermoluminescence dosimetry.

Main Results:

• Achieved tunable photoluminescence, high luminous efficiency, and suitable chromaticity for lighting.
• Demonstrated UCNPs with long lifetimes, high sensitivity, and tunable emissions for sensing.
• RENPs showed potential for accurate radiation dose measurements with minimal fading.

Conclusions:

• RENPs offer versatile applications in wide-bandgap lighting due to their tunable properties.
• UCNPs are highly suitable for advanced sensing applications owing to their unique luminescence characteristics.
• RENPs show promise for accurate medical and environmental dosimetry, advancing radiation measurement technologies.