Sc dopant induced tailoring of persistent luminescence in Na3YSi3O9:Eu2+ for information recording

Developing chemically and thermally stable, highly efficient green-emitting inorganic phosphors is a significant research field in solid-state lighting. In this work, we successfully tailor the properties of an yttrium silicate based Na3(Y,Sc)Si3O9:Eu2+ phosphor as a highly efficient green phosphor via crystal field engineering. The quantum efficiency (QE) and thermal stability of Na3(Y,Sc)Si3O9:Eu2+ were increased by 33% and 35%, respectively, via the combination of structure and bandgap engineering. Meanwhile, persistent luminescence (PersL) was observed, followed by a more thorough investigation of the relationship between the intensity of afterglow and Sc3+ concentration. Accordingly, the excitation temperature-dependent and fading thermoluminescence experiments are conducted, and the trap properties are deeply studied by the initial rising method. The results reveal the PersL mechanism and the significant role of Sc3+ as substitute ions. These results clearly indicate that our proposed designing concept of PersL materials are indeed effective and feasible, and the as-prepared Na3Y0.5Sc0.5Si3O9:Eu2+ phosphors are certainly promising for multifunctional applications.