Exploring persistent luminescence mechanisms in novel RE-doped stannate materials Li2MSn3O8 and Li1.6M1.6Sn2.8O8 (M: Mg, Zn; RE3+: Pr3+, Eu3+, Dy3+) through thermo- and cathodoluminescence spectroscopy

• Grant number: 24/02964-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: May 15, 2024
• End date: May 14, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Hermi Felinto de Brito
• Grantee: Matheus Salgado de Nichile Saula
• Supervisor: Philippe F Smet
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Ghent University (UGent), Belgium
• Associated to the scholarship: 20/10228-2 - Development of MI2MIISn3O8 and MI1.6MII1.6Sn2.8O8 stannate materials doped with rare earth ions with persistent luminescence emission, BP.DD

Abstract

The development of new inorganic persistent luminescent materials containing rare earthions as activators is more than ever a reality, allowing the emergence of innovative and improved solid-state lasers, biological and forensic markers, thermal sensors, security devices, and other several products in photonic technology areas. In this context, Stannate-based host matrices have attracted significant attention, as they are inexpensive, thermally stable, and have a favorable band gap to allow persistent luminescence phenomenon. However, there is a large scarcity of literature concerning luminescence studies of rare-earth ions doped in Li2MSn3O8 and Li1,6M1,6Sn2,8O8 stannate matrices (M: Mg, and Zn;). Moreover, there is a growing interest in the pursuit of the adjusted synergy between the deployment of energy and time-saving synthesis methods and the enhancement of the optical characteristics of these phosphors, such as a more intense and longer persistent emission, that is required for these photonic applications. In this sense, the Microwave-Assisted Solid-state Synthesis (MASS) method has been highlighted by its efficient punctual heating process, generating high-purity materials, besides being able to be performed by the use of domestic equipment. It is also important to notice that, as much as known mechanisms can explain qualitatively the persistent luminescence in inorganic materials, this phenomenon still needs to be studied for the luminescent stannate systems from the perspective of specific material trapping defects nature and depth distribution to be fully understood, and therefore, exploited. For this reason, the BEPE project will be developed in LumiLab research group of Prof. Dr. Philippe F. Smet at Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. Then, this proposal aims to investigate the persistent photoluminescence properties of the Li2MSn3O8:x%RE3+ and Li1,6M1,6Sn2,8O8:x%RE3+(x: 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0) materials through thermo-, and cathodoluminescence spectroscopic techniques, focusing on the determination of traps density, depth and nature as well as the development of persistent luminescence mechanisms of these materials.