Multicolor Emission Research Articles

Stimulus-responsive room-temperature phosphorescence with tunable color for time-resolved advanced dynamic anti-counterfeiting

Multi-stimuli responsive multicolored room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have recently attracted considerable attention, owing to their potential applications in advanced dynamic anti-counterfeiting. The design and development of carbon dots that exhibit both stimulus response characteristics and multicolor RTP emission remains a significant challenge in the field. In this work, we present a novel approach to control the dynamic phosphorescence color and stimulus response properties of CQDs coated on paper by fine-tuning the surface functional groups of the CQDs. Specifically, histidine and 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine was separately used to prepare N, O co-doped CQDs (NOCQDs) and N-doped CQDs (NCQDs), respectively. These CQDs were further coated on filter paper substrates to achieve water and heating cascade stimulus–response RTP. These stimuli-responsive properties of NOCQDs can be modulated by deprotonating their surface oxygen-containing groups. Eventually, we achieved time-resolved multicolor dynamic anti-counterfeiting by exploiting the stimuli-response properties and lifetimes differences between NOCQDs and NCQDs, realizing the 5D information encryption in all five stimulus-, pattern-, time-, and color-dependent codes. These findings highlight the potential of NOCQDs as advanced anti-counterfeiting materials and lay a foundation for further exploration into the synthesis and properties of CQDs with tunable stimuli-response features and RTP emission.

Dynamic multicolor emissions of multimodal phosphors by Mn2+ trace doping in self-activated CaGa4O7

The manipulation of excitation modes and resultant emission colors in luminescent materials holds pivotal importance for encrypting information in anti-counterfeiting applications. Despite considerable achievements in multimodal and multicolor luminescent materials, existing options generally suffer from static monocolor emission under fixed external stimulation, rendering them vulnerability to replication. Achieving dynamic multimodal luminescence within a single material presents a promising yet challenging solution. Here, we report the development of a phosphor exhibiting dynamic multicolor photoluminescence (PL) and photo-thermo-mechanically responsive multimodal emissions through the incorporation of trace Mn2+ ions into a self-activated CaGa4O7 host. The resulting phosphor offers adjustable emission-color changing rates, controllable via re-excitation intervals and photoexcitation powers. Additionally, it demonstrates temperature-induced color reversal and anti-thermal-quenched emission, alongside reproducible elastic mechanoluminescence (ML) characterized by high mechanical durability. Theoretical calculations elucidate electron transfer pathways dominated by intrinsic interstitial defects and vacancies for dynamic multicolor emission. Mn2+ dopants serve a dual role in stabilizing nearby defects and introducing additional defect levels, enabling flexible multi-responsive luminescence. This developed phosphor facilitates evolutionary color/pattern displays in both temporal and spatial dimensions using readily available tools, offering significant promise for dynamic anticounterfeiting displays and multimode sensing applications.

Designing tunable emissions and mechanoluminescence in piezoelectric luminescent ions doped oxysulfide compounds by cations substitution for optical sensing

Piezoelectric mechanoluminescent materials capable of directly converting external mechanical stimulation into light are decisive for the development of optoelectronic sensing devices. However, emission spectral modulation is highly demanded for mechanoluminescent materials, which is important for applications. Here, we have doped luminescent ions into the piezoelectric semiconductor oxysulfide compounds (Sr,Ba)ZnOS using the salt-fusion method to form multi-mode emission materials. The prepared luminescent compounds can simultaneously generate photoluminescence and mechanoluminescence for temperature and stress sensing. The tunable photoluminescence can be obtained for multi-color emissions by controlling concentrations of luminescent ions Mn2+ and Er3+. Subsequently, the materials are combined with polydimethylsiloxane matrix to prepare smart mechanoluminescence films for optical sensing. The mechanoluminescence and tunable emissions from prepared film make this luminescent materials promising in the fields of dynamic imaging of force and anti-counterfeiting.

Multidimensional Data Encoding Based on Multicolor Microencapsulated Thermoresponsive Fluorescent Phase Change Materials

AbstractLuminescent materials are emerging promising tools for digital data encoding due to their reduced cost, facile reading, robustness, and durability. For this, the use of fluorescent systems that combine multicolor emission with sensitivity to external stimuli will be highly desirable, as they can offer rewritable data encoding together with enhanced encryption security and storage density. Herein a novel strategy is pioneered to reach this goal, which exploits the temperature‐responsive emission properties of the mixtures of regular fluorophores with simple organic phase change materials (PCMs) such as paraffins. By preparing a diversity of microcapsules of these mixtures comprising different dyes and PCMs, thermosensitive fluorescent pixels can be prepared in a low‐cost, straightforward, and scalable manner that exhibits multicolor dynamic emission behavior. These features are capitalized to fabricate pixel arrays that perform two advanced digital encoding operations: high‐security 3D information encryption, and 4D data storage.

Multiemitting Ultralong Phosphorescent Carbonized Polymer Dots via Synergistic Enhancement Structure Design.

Advancing a metal-free room temperature phosphorescent (RTP) material that exhibits multicolor emission, remarkable RTP lifetime, and high quantum yield still faces the challenge of achieving intersystem crossing between singly and triplet excited states, as well as the rapid decay of triplet excited states due to nonradiative losses. In this study, a novel strategy is proposed to address these limitations by incorporating o-phenylenediamine, which generates multiple luminescent centers, and long-chain polyacrylic acid to synthesize carbonized polymer dots (CPDs). These CPDs are then embedded in a rigid B2O3 matrix, effectively limiting nonradiative losses through the synergistic effects of polymer cross-linking and the rigid matrix. The resulting CPD-based materials exhibit remarkable ultralong phosphorescence in shades of blue and lime green, with a visible lifetime of up to 49 s and a high phosphorescence quantum yield. Simultaneously, this study demonstrates the practical applicability of these excellent material properties in anti-counterfeiting and information encryption.

Unlocking Multicolor Emissions in the Crystalline State through Dimerization and Configurational Transformation of a Single Fluorophore

Unlocking Multicolor Emissions in the Crystalline State through Dimerization and Configurational Transformation of a Single Fluorophore

Multi-mode excited upconversion and downshifting of Ho3+/Yb3+ doped lead-free double perovskite Cs2NaBiCl6 for anti-counterfeiting and thermometry

Rear earth(RE)-doped halide perovskite has generated as an amazing optical material for multicolor luminescence. Free-lead halide double perovskites have attracted interesting because of their non-toxicity and higher instability. Here, RE3+ doped chloride-based double perovskite phosphors are reported. A series of heavy concentration Ho3+/Yb3+ doped Cs2NaBiCl6(CNBC) phosphors are prepared with a solvothermal route. The band structure of CNBC is calculated through density functional theory (DFT). The luminescence properties of CNBC:Ho3+ and CNBC:Ho3+/Yb3+ are investigated through upconversion(UC) and downshifting(DS) processes. From CNBC:Ho3+, the brightness orange, deep red and pale green lights are achieved under excitation at 365, 452 and 980 nm. The multicolor emissions of CNBC:Ho3+ are used to multimode fluorescent anti-counterfeiting. Comparing with CNBC:Ho3+ samples, the UC emission intensity of CNBC:Ho3+/Yb3+ are dramatically enhanced. The brightness green light can be seen by naked eyes under super lower power pumping(∼10 mW). The temperature sensing properties of CNBC:Ho3+/Yb3+ phosphor are investigated systematically based on the luminescence intensity ratio(LIR) of thermally coupled levels(TCLs)(5F1/5G6,5F2,3/3K8) and non-TCLs(5F4/5S2,5F5). The maximum relative sensitivity(SR) reaches 5.089% K−1 at 293 K according to the LIR of non-TCLs. The work will broaden the application field of RE3+-doped free-lead perovskite such as anti-counterfeiting and thermometry.

Photophysical Properties of (E)-1-(4-(Diethyla-mino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4,4-dimethylthiosemicarbazide Compound and Its Triple Fluorescence Emission Mechanism: A Theoretical Perspective.

In view of the application prospects in biomedicine of (E)-1-(4-(diethyla-mino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4,4-dimethylthiosemicarbazide (DAHTS), the behavior of excited-state dynamics and photophysical properties were studied using the density functional theory/time-dependent density functional theory method. A series of studies indicated that the intramolecular hydrogen-bond (IHB) intensity of DAHTS was enhanced after photoexcitation. This was conducive to promoting the excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer (ESIPT) process. Combining the analysis of the IHB and hole-electron, it revealed that the molecule underwent both the ESIPT process and the twisted charge-transfer (TICT) process. Relying on exploration of the potential energy surface, it was proposed that the different competitive mechanisms between the ESIPT and TICT processes were regulated by solvent polarity. In acetonitrile (ACN) solvent, the ESIPT process occurred first, and the TICT process occurred later. In contrast, in the CYH solvent, the molecule first underwent the TICT process and then the ESIPT process. Furthermore, we raised the possibility that the TICT behavior was the cause of weak fluorescence emission for the DAHTS in CYH and ACN solvents. By the dimer correlation analysis, the corresponding components of triple fluorescence emission were clearly assigned, corresponding to the monomer, dimer, and ESIPT isomer in turn. Our work precisely elucidated the photophysical mechanism of DAHTS and the attribution of the triple fluorescence emission components, which provided valuable guidance for the development and regulation of bioactive fluorescence probes with multiband and multicolor emission characteristics.

Quantitative Fluorescent Lateral Flow Strip Sensor for Myocardial Infarction Using Purity-Color Upconversion Nanoparticles.

Acute myocardial infarction is a serious cardiovascular disease and poses significant risks to human health. Its early diagnosis and real-time detection are of great importance. Herein, we design a low-cost device that has a high sensitivity of cTnT and cTnI detection. Dual-color upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are prepared as probes, which not only have high-purity red upconversion luminescence (UCL) under 980 or 808 nm excitation but also achieve good temperature sensing. Temperature-dependent multicolor emission excitation is obtained, and the color turns from white to orange and red with increasing temperature. In particular, the maximum SR and SA values based on nonthermally coupled levels are 4.76% K-1 and 8.6% K-1, which are higher than those based on thermally coupled levels. With the UCNPs-based lateral flow strip (LFS), the specific detection of cTnI and cTnT antigens in samples is achieved with a detection limit of 0.001 ng/mL, which is 1 order of magnitude lower than that of their clinical cutoff. The UCNPs-LFS device has a low-cost laser diode and a simplified laser and permits a mobile-phone camera to collect the results, which has an important influence on the field of biomarker sensing.

Room temperature, long afterglow, water-soluble materials with multicolor tunability

Developing solution-processable room-temperature long afterglow (RTLA) materials with multi-color tunable emissions based on an inorganic matrix is of considerable practical importance in diverse applications but rarely reported. Herein, a series of water-soluble multicolor afterglow materials (t@LP@Rh123, t@LP@Rh6G, t@LP@RhB, respectively) with afterglow emission colors of green, orange-yellow and red were achieved through triplet-to-singlet Förster-resonance energy transfer (T1-S1 FRET), where the cyan afterglow material t@LP obtained by solventless mechanical grinding method of 4-[2,2':6′,2″-Terpyridin]-4′-ylbenzoic acid and Laponite (LP) was used as an energy donor, and fluorescent dyes Rhodamine 123, Rhodamine 6G and Rhodamine B were used as energy acceptors. Notably, the obtained series of multicolor afterglow materials still exhibit obvious afterglow emission in aqueous solution, which make them potentially useful in the fields of anti-counterfeiting and multilevel information encryption.

Novel strategy of multidimensional information encryption via multi-color carbon dots aggregation-induced emission

Novel strategy of multidimensional information encryption via multi-color carbon dots aggregation-induced emission

Multisite Fine-Tuning in Hybrid Cadmium Halides Enables Wide Range Emissions for Anti-Counterfeiting.

Achieving tunable emissions spanning the spectrum, from blue to near-infrared (NIR) light, within a single component is a formidable challenge with significant implication, particularly in tailoring multicolor luminescence for anti-counterfeiting purposes. In this study, we demonstrate a broad spectrum of emissions, covering blue to red and extending into NIR light in [BPy]2CdX4 : xSb3+ (BPy=Butylpyridinium; X=Cl, Br; x=0 to 0.08) through precise multisite structural fine-tuning. Notably, the multicolor emissions from [BPy]2CdBr4 : Sb3+ manifest a distinctive pattern, transitioning from blue to yellow in tandem with the host [BPy]2CdBr4 and further extending from yellow to NIR with its homologous [BPy]2CdCl4 : Sb3+, resulting in the simultaneous presence of intersecting and independent emission colors. Detailed modulation of chemical composition enables partial luminescence switching, facilitating the creation of diverse patterns with multicolor luminescence by employing [BPy]2CdX4 : xSb3+ as phosphors. This study for the first time successfully implements several groups of tunable emission colors in a single matrix via multisite fine-tuning. Such an effective strategy not only develops the specific relationships between tunable emissions and adjustable compositions, but also introduces a cost-effective and straightforward approach to achieving unique, high-level, plentiful-color and multiple-information-storage labels for advanced anti-counterfeiting applications.

Multisite Fine‐Tuning in Hybrid Cadmium Halides Enables Wide Range Emissions for Anti‐Counterfeiting

AbstractAchieving tunable emissions spanning the spectrum, from blue to near‐infrared (NIR) light, within a single component is a formidable challenge with significant implication, particularly in tailoring multicolor luminescence for anti‐counterfeiting purposes. In this study, we demonstrate a broad spectrum of emissions, covering blue to red and extending into NIR light in [BPy]2CdX4 : xSb3+ (BPy=Butylpyridinium; X=Cl, Br; x=0 to 0.08) through precise multisite structural fine‐tuning. Notably, the multicolor emissions from [BPy]2CdBr4 : Sb3+ manifest a distinctive pattern, transitioning from blue to yellow in tandem with the host [BPy]2CdBr4 and further extending from yellow to NIR with its homologous [BPy]2CdCl4 : Sb3+, resulting in the simultaneous presence of intersecting and independent emission colors. Detailed modulation of chemical composition enables partial luminescence switching, facilitating the creation of diverse patterns with multicolor luminescence by employing [BPy]2CdX4 : xSb3+ as phosphors. This study for the first time successfully implements several groups of tunable emission colors in a single matrix via multisite fine‐tuning. Such an effective strategy not only develops the specific relationships between tunable emissions and adjustable compositions, but also introduces a cost‐effective and straightforward approach to achieving unique, high‐level, plentiful‐color and multiple‐information‐storage labels for advanced anti‐counterfeiting applications.

Upconverting nanophosphors for various sensing applications

BackgroundUpconverting nanophosphors (UCNPs) are composed of certain nanosized inorganic host materials doped with specific rare earth ions. They exhibit the phenomenon of photon upconversion, whereby the sequential absorption of two or more low energy photons is followed by luminescent emission of multiple photons with higher energy. In addition, they have other attractive optical features such as NIR-absorption, sharp emission bands, exceptional photostability and high quantum yield. These properties make UCNPs lucrative probes for number of optical applications, such as imaging, sensing and theranostics. OverviewUCNPs have been used as specific and ultrasensitive probes for sensing of variety of analytes, such as gas molecules, metal ions, fine particles, pH and a number of molecules, biochemicals and macromolecules. Their absorption and emission in the NIR range facilitates the background free biosensing in situ, in vitro and in vivo. Their multicoloured emissions allow a suitable emission band to serve as a donor for energy transfer to another attached optical probe, while a separate emission band to serve as an internal reference in ratiometric sensing applications. This comprehensive review provides an in-depth exploration of the versatile applications of UCNPs in the optical sensing of various analytes based on energy transfer mechanisms, with emphasis on the recent developments. . The focus is on synthesizing UCNPs, surface functionalization, and their effective utilization especially in detecting gas molecules, pH changes, ions, free radicals, and disease biomarkers. Through a meticulous examination of the use of UCNPs, this review aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of their potential and pave the way for future advancements and challenges in optical sensing.

In-band luminescence thermometry in the third biological window and multicolor emission of Er-doped fluoride and oxide nanoparticles

In this study we present a morphological and spectroscopical characterization of three different erbium doped nanocrystal samples, namely two oxides (Y2O3:3%Er, Sc2O3:3%Er) and one fluoride (YF3:5%Er). The spectroscopic study offers a comprehensive comparison of their multicolor emissions, ranging from the visible to the mid-infrared region. Emissions from the first five excited states are presented and the emission cross sections of the 4I11/2 → 4I15/2, 4I11/2 → 4I13/2, and 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transitions have been calculated and compared with literature results for the oxide compounds providing a confirmation for the 1.5 μm emission of Er:Y2O3, a correction over published values for the 2.7 μm emission of Er:Y2O3, and also new results for the Er:Sc2O3 emission cross section values of all the infrared bands. Moreover, this study explores the application of the 4I13/2 emission for in-band luminescence thermometry within the third biological window. An optimized segmentation of the 1.5 μm emission permits to achieve high relative and absolute sensitivities using just one dopant ion.

Chiral Aggregation-Induced Emission Carbon Dot-Based Multicolor and Near-Infrared Circularly Polarized Delayed Fluorescence via a Light-Harvesting System.

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials are the research frontier of chiral luminescence. As a kind of luminescent carbon material, carbon dots (CDs) are expected to become excellent candidates for the construction of CPL materials. However, the construction of CD-based circularly polarized afterglow emission, especially multicolor and near-infrared emission, remains a great challenge due to aggregation-caused quenching and the instability of triplet excitons. In this work, we synthesized chiral CDs with aggregation-induced emission using dithiosalicylic acid and l/d-arginine as precursors through a one-step solvothermal method. Notably, the CDs exhibit green delayed fluorescence (DF) in poly(vinyl alcohol) films. Furthermore, multicolor and near-infrared circularly polarized delayed fluorescence is successfully realized via engineering a chiral light-harvesting system in which the CDs with green DF emission act as energy donors and fluorescent dyes with emission colors ranging from yellow to the near infrared serve as energy acceptors.

Dual-mode optical thermometry and multilevel anti-counterfeiting based on Er3+/Eu3+ doped Ba5Gd8Zn4O21 phosphors

Designing and manufacturing novel anti-counterfeiting materials with multilevel, strong readability and inexpensive is a crucial challenge. Herein, a batch of Ba5Gd8(1-x-y)Zn4O21:xEu3+/yEr3+ phosphors with long persistent and multicolor luminescence were synthesized. Their structure and luminescence properties were studied through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, lifetime decay curves, emission, excitation, thermoluminescence and diffuse reflection spectra. Under different wavelengths irradiation, Ba5Gd8Zn4O21:Eu3+, Ba5Gd8Zn4O21:Er3+ and Ba5Gd8Zn4O21:Eu3+, Er3+ emit strong red, green and multicolor (green, yellow, red) luminescence, respectively. Importantly, Ba5Gd8Zn4O21:Eu3+ and Ba5Gd8Zn4O21:Eu3+, Er3+ phosphors exhibit long-lasting luminescence after 254 nm and X-ray radiation. Combine long afterglow and multicolor emissions under X-ray, UV and 980 nm laser excitation, these materials successfully achieve multilevel anti-counterfeiting. In terms of optical temperature measurement, the maximum relative sensitivity of Ba5Gd7.44Zn4O21:0.07Er3+ based on thermal coupling levels (2H11/2/4S3/2) and non-thermal coupling levels (4F9/2/2H11/2) of Er3+ are 1.29 % K−1 and 0.34 % K−1, respectively. Both two modes exhibit superior repeatability (98 %) in 333–573 K temperature range which can realize self-calibration temperature sensing. All findings reveal great potential of these phosphors for multilevel anti-counterfeiting and efficient optical temperature sensing.

Intermediate Color Emission via Nanographenes with Organic Fluorophores

AbstractPhotoluminescence (PL) color can be tuned by mixing fluorophores emitting the three primary colors in an appropriate ratio. When color tuning is achieved on a single substrate, we can simplify device structures. We demonstrated that nanographenes (NGs), which are graphene fragments with a size of tens of nanometers, could be utilized as carriers of fluorophores. The addition of red‐ and blue‐light‐emitting fluorophores on the edge successfully reproduced the purple light. The relative PL intensities of the fluorophores could be regulated by the excitation wavelength, enabling multicolor emission between blue and red light. Owing to the triphenylamine units of the fluorophores, the NGs showed PL enhancement due to aggregation. This characteristic was valuable for the fabrication of solid polymer materials. Specifically, the functionalized NGs can be dispersed into polyvinylidene difluoride. The resultant polymer films emitted red, blue, and purple color. Our study demonstrated the potential applicability of NGs for fluorophore carriers capable of reproducing intermediate colors of light.

Intermediate Color Emission via Nanographenes with Organic Fluorophores.

Photoluminescence (PL) color can be tuned by mixing fluorophores emitting the three primary colors in an appropriate ratio. When color tuning is achieved on a single substrate, we can simplify device structures. We demonstrated that nanographenes (NGs), which are graphene fragments with a size of tens of nanometers, could be utilized as carriers of fluorophores. The addition of red- and blue-light-emitting fluorophores on the edge successfully reproduced the purple light. The relative PL intensities of the fluorophores could be regulated by the excitation wavelength, enabling multicolor emission between blue and red light. Owing to the triphenylamine units of the fluorophores, the NGs showed PL enhancement due to aggregation. This characteristic was valuable for the fabrication of solid polymer materials. Specifically, the functionalized NGs can be dispersed into polyvinylidene difluoride. The resultant polymer films emitted red, blue, and purple color. Our study demonstrated the potential applicability of NGs for fluorophore carriers capable of reproducing intermediate colors of light.

A novel quadrilayer structure glass/ceramic with multicolor emission for laser lighting with low blue light and high color rendering index

Here we report a novel quadrilayer structure glass/ceramic with multicolor emission, which has a great potential to be used as a light converter for laser lighting with low blue light and high color rendering index. The multilayer glass/ceramic was prepared by controlling the crystallization of the double-layer Sr1.07Eu0.03Al2.2Si1.8O8/Sr1.09Sm0.01Al2.2Si1.8O8 glass. The outer layers of the glass/ceramic are the ceramic layers and the inner layers are the glass layers. Hexagonal Sr1.1Al2.2Si1.8O8 is the only crystal phase precipitated during the crystallization process and these crystals are highly oriented in growth. The Ra and CRI values of the white light-emitting LD prepared by employing the multi-layer glass/ceramic as the light converter and a 405 nm LD as the pump source are both more than 90. This work provides a novel and enlightening idea for the design and preparation of the multilayer glass/ceramic with multicolor emission.