Defect-assisted dynamic multicolor modulation in KLu3F10:Tb crystals for anti-counterfeiting

Excitation-dependent dynamic multicolor luminescent materials show potential for promising applications in the field of anti-counterfeiting. However, for most ultraviolet (UV)-excited lanthanide-doped materials, more than two types of activators are incorporated to realize multicolors. In this study, for the first time, KLu₃F₁₀:Tb crystals were used to realize excitation-dependent multicolor emissions. The morphology was modified by tuning the surface-coated citric acid (CA) content. During hydrothermal reactions, fluorine vacancy defects are formed on the crystal surface, and carboxyl groups (-COOH) are coated on the crystal surface to maintain the charge balance. Under 254 nm UV excitation, typical Tb³⁺ green emissions were observed, while a strong broadband emission peaking at 442 nm appeared in addition to these Tb³⁺ emissions under 365 nm excitation. The energy transfer (ET) process between the defect state and Tb³⁺ is clarified. This work may promote the development of single-type activator-doped multicolor luminescent materials for high-level anti-counterfeiting.

Rapid, morphology-controllable synthesis of GdOF:Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Tb) crystals with multicolor-tunable luminescence properties

This work investigates a facile and mass-production method to synthesize multiform morphologies of GdOF and obtains multicolor emissions in GdOF:Tb³⁺,Eu³⁺ samples.

A novel strategy to directly fabricate flexible hollow nanofibers with tunable luminescence-electricity-magnetism trifunctionality using one-pot electrospinning

Novel photoluminescent-electrical-magnetic trifunctional flexible Eu(BA)3phen/PANI/Fe3O4/PVP (BA = benzoic acid, phen = phenanthroline, PANI = polyaniline, PVP = polyvinylpyrrolidone) hollow nanofibers were fabricated by a one-pot electrospinning technique using a specially designed coaxial spinneret for the first time. Very different from the traditional preparation process of hollow fibers via coaxial electrospinning, which needs to firstly fabricate the coaxial fibers and followed by removing the core through high-temperature calcination or solvent extraction, in our current study, no core spinning solution is used to directly fabricate hollow nanofibers. The morphology and properties of the obtained hollow nanofibers were characterized in detail using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, a 4-point probe resistivity measurement system and vibrating sample magnetometry. The Eu(BA)3phen/PANI/Fe3O4/PVP hollow nanofibers, with outer diameters of ca. 305 nm and inner diameters of about 140 nm, exhibit excellent photoluminescence performance, electrical conductivity and magnetic properties. Fluorescence emission peaks of Eu(3+) are observed in the Eu(BA)3phen/PANI/Fe3O4/PVP hollow nanofibers and assigned to the (5)D0→(7)F0 (580 nm), (5)D0→(7)F1 (592 nm) and (5)D0→(7)F2 (616 nm) energy level transitions of Eu(3+) ions, and the (5)D0→(7)F2 hypersensitive transition at 616 nm is the predominant emission peak. The electrical conductivity of the hollow nanofibers reaches up to the order of 10(-3) S cm(-1). The luminescent intensity, electrical conductivity and magnetic properties of the hollow nanofibers can be tuned by adding various amounts of Eu(BA)3phen, PANI and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The new-type photoluminescent-electrical-magnetic trifunctional flexible hollow nanofibers hold potential for a variety of applications, including electromagnetic interference shielding, microwave absorption, molecular electronics and biomedicine. The design conception and synthetic strategy developed in this study are of universal significance to construct other multifunctional hollow one-dimensional nanomaterials.

Recent progress in low-voltage cathodoluminescent materials: synthesis, improvement and emission properties

Nowadays there are several technologies used for flat panel displays (FPDs) and the development of FPDs with enhanced energy efficiency and improved display quality is strongly required. Field emission displays (FEDs) have been considered as one of the most promising next generation flat panel display technologies due to their excellent display performance and low energy consumption. For the development of FEDs, phosphors are irreplaceable components. In the past decade, the study of highly efficient low-voltage cathodoluminescent materials, namely FED phosphors, has become the focus of enhancing energy efficiency and realizing high-quality displays. This review summaries the recent progress in the chemical synthesis and improvement of novel, rare-earth and transition metal ions activated inorganic cathodoluminescent materials in powder and thin film forms. The discussion is focused on the modification of morphology, size, surface, composition and conductivity of phosphors and the corresponding effects on their cathodoluminescent properties. Special emphases are given to the selection of host and luminescent centers, the adjustment of emission colors through doping concentration optimization, energy transfer and mono- or co-doping activator ions, the improvement of chromaticity, color stability and color gamut as well as the saturation behavior and the degradation behavior of phosphors under the excitation of a low-voltage electron beam. Finally, the research prospects and future directions of FED phosphors are discussed with recommendations to facilitate the further study of new and highly efficient low-voltage cathodoluminescent materials.