Variable temperature persistent luminescence properties of phosphors with continuous traps

A yellow long persistent luminescence (LPL) phosphor of Sr3Ga4O9:Bi3+ were synthesized by a simple solid-state method. The luminescence properties have been investigated by photoluminescence (PL) spectra, LPL spectra, afterglow decay curves and thermoluminescence (TL) curves. A series of the excitation time and decay time dependent TL experiments have been conducted, and the trap characteristics of the phosphor were studied. The LPL can be detected more than 10 h, which is due to the fact that the feasible trap depth ensures the slow release of charge carriers. The results of LPL properties at variable temperature show that the phosphor has a broad application prospect in high-temperature environments. •Bi3+ was introduced in Sr3Ga4O9:Bi3+ to generate feasible trap structure.•Sr3Ga4O9:Bi3+ has excellent LPL performance at different temperatures.•The phosphor has a broad application prospect in high-temperature environments.