Applications of Inorganic Hybrid Rare-Earth Materials in Biological Diagnostics, X-Ray Imaging, and Lighting Display

As strategic critical resource, rare-earth luminescent materials exhibit irreplaceable performance advantages in bioimaging, X-ray detection, and lighting displays due to their unique electronic layer structures. Their core luminescence mechanisms are predominantly governed by two categories: Prompt luminescence, originating from rare-earth ion transitions, achieves ns to ms decay lifetimes through crystal field engineering. Persistent luminescence utilizes defect engineering to engineer graded traps, facilitating charge carrier storage and controlled release, thereby achieving minute-to-hour-scale persistent luminescence. These outstanding optical properties underpin the multifaceted applications of rare-earth luminescent materials. In the biological diagnostics field, they provide novel tools for tumor theranostics and inflammation monitoring. For X-ray imaging field, they offer high-precision solutions for medical and industrial testing. In the lighting display field, they drive the advancement of wide-color-gamut displays. This review focuses on elucidating recent advances in prompt luminescence, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation and technical pathways for future innovative applications of rare-earth luminescent materials.