Highly efficient and thermally stable multifunctional near-infrared emitting phosphors as light source for multiple...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optoelectronics
• Solid-State Chemistry

Background:

• Near-infrared (NIR) luminescent materials are crucial for advanced light sources in detection, night vision, and sensing.
• Developing efficient and stable NIR emitters is essential for overcoming limitations in current optoelectronic devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the NIR luminescent properties of Cr3+-activated Lu3Ga5O12 phosphors.
• To explore the potential applications of these phosphors in phosphor-converted LEDs (pc-LEDs), biological monitoring, and night vision illumination.
• To engineer extended NIR emission through energy transfer mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of Lu3Ga5O12:Cr3+ inorganic oxide phosphors.
• Evaluation of NIR emission efficiency and anti-thermal quenching behavior under blue light excitation.
• Fabrication of phosphor-polymer composites (Lu3Ga5O12:Cr3+ with PDMS) for mechanoluminescence studies.
• Construction of energy transfer routes involving Nd3+ and Er3+ ions to achieve extended NIR emission.

Main Results:

• Lu3Ga5O12:Cr3+ phosphors demonstrate high-efficiency (89.5%) NIR emission with excellent anti-thermal quenching (107.95% intensity retention at 440 K).
• These phosphors enable high-efficiency LED light sources for plant growth, potentially improving crop development.
• NIR-mechanoluminescence was observed in Lu3Ga5O12:Cr3+ doped PDMS films for biological monitoring.
• Extended NIR emission up to 1650 nm was achieved via Cr3+ to Nd3+/Er3+ energy transfer (90%@Nd3+, 59%@Er3+), enabling NIR-II applications like night vision.
• A detection platform for non-invasive solution analysis was developed based on Er3+ emission.

Conclusions:

• Cr3+-activated Lu3Ga5O12 phosphors offer a promising platform for high-performance NIR light sources.
• The anti-thermal quenching property is advantageous for stable operation in pc-LEDs, particularly for horticultural applications.
• The tunable NIR emission and mechanoluminescence open avenues for advanced sensing, monitoring, and illumination technologies.