Red luminescent metal–organic framework phosphor enhanced by CaSrS:Cu,Eu for agricultural film

Abstract

A bright red luminescent composite material was prepared by combining a luminescent europium-based metal–organic framework (Eu-MOF) host with a red emitting sulfide (CaSrS:Cu,Eu). CaSrS:Cu,Eu particles were first prepared by calcination, and then these particles were used in a hydrothermal synthesis of Eu-MOF. By this approach, the CaSrS:Cu,Eu particles were naturally incorporated with the MOF. The luminescent properties indicated that the red emission intensity of the CaSrS:Cu,Eu@MOF product was much higher than that of the Eu-MOF itself due to the energy transfer from CaSrS:Cu,Eu to Eu-MOF. Furthermore, CaSrS:Cu,Eu@MOF displays enhanced emission intensity at the range of 400–500 nm and 600–700 nm, which are just the main absorption range for crops and plants. Thus, the prepared CaSrS:Cu,Eu@MOF was applied to prepared agricultural film. Results suggest that CaSrS:Cu,Eu@MOF could be a useful additive to polymer films for the agricultural sector.