Facile Synthesis of Mn4+-Activated Double Perovskite Germanate Phosphors with Near-Infrared Persistent Luminescence.

Jiaren Du,Dirk Poelman

doi:10.3390/nano9121759

Abstract

Tetravalent manganese doped phosphors are emerging as a new class of efficient near-infrared emitters for applications in a variety of areas, such as bioimaging and night-vision surveillance. Novel double perovskite-type La2MgGeO6:Mn4+ phosphors were successfully prepared using a microwave-assisted energy-saving solid state method. This simple technique involving the use of a microwave susceptor allows for a reduction of the preparation time compared to a conventional solid state reaction. The samples were investigated using powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, as well as energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping, photoluminescence excitation/emission spectroscopy, persistent luminescence decay and temperature-dependent photoluminescence analysis. Substitution between isovalent Mn4+ and Ge4+ can be achieved without additional charge compensators in this germanate-based phosphor, which provides strong emission in the near-infrared spectral region, assigned to the characteristic transitions of tetravalent manganese ions. Additionally, the double perovskite-type germanate phosphor exhibits excellent luminescence thermal stability. Moreover, the spectroscopic properties, excitation wavelength-dependent and temperature-dependent persistent luminescence were studied. A series of thermoluminescence measurements were presented trying to give clear information on the charging process, afterglow behavior and the nature of the traps responsible for the persistent luminescence. The present investigation expands the range of available promising near-infrared emitting persistent phosphors for medical imaging.

Highlights

Persistent luminescence, named long afterglow, is the optical phenomenon where light emission can persist for an appreciable time after the excitation source has been switched off
The release rate of carriers captured in traps depends on ambient thermal energy available and the energy needed to release the carriers from the traps
La2MgGeO6 belongs to the double perovskite-type (A2BB’O6) structure group in which Mg2+ and Ge4+ ions are ordered on B and B’ sites with six oxygen ions forming [MgO6] and [GeO6] octahedrons

Summary

Introduction

Persistent luminescence, named long afterglow, is the optical phenomenon where light emission can persist for an appreciable time after the excitation source has been switched off. Materials with such self-sustained light emitting features are essential for a variety of applications in the fields of emergency lighting, anti-counterfeiting, night-vision signage, in vivo bio-imaging, and optical data storage [1,2,3,4,5,6]. The principles behind persistent luminescence of inorganic phosphors are related to traps and emitters. Traps store the excitation energy and the number of available traps determine the intensity and duration of the persistent luminescence. The release rate of carriers captured in traps depends on ambient thermal energy available and the energy needed to release the carriers from the traps

Methods

Results

Conclusion