Energy transfer and ratiometric Temperature sensing based on the dual-emitting NaMgBO3:Ce3+, Mn2+ phosphor

A series of dual-emitting phosphors NaMgBO3: Ce3+, Mn2+ were synthesized by conventional high-temperature solid-state-reaction method. The crystal structure, morphology, photoluminescence, energy transfer mechanism and temperature-dependent sensing properties were systematically investigated. This phosphor exhibits intense dual broadband emission with peaks locating at 475 nm ascribed to d-f transition of Ce3+ and 710 nm assigned to (4)T(1)g(G)(Salmon et al., 2010) [6]A1g(S) transition of Mn2+. The temperature-dependent emission of NaMgBO3: Ce3+, Mn2+ phosphor presents thermally stable luminescence of Ce3+ and nearly linear thermal quenching curve of Mn2+, demonstrating potential application of NaMgBO3: Ce3+, Mn2+ in optical thermometry. By fitting the temperature and the ratio of fluorescence intensity, the maximum value of relative temperature sensitivity is calculated to be 0.69%K-1 at 473 K, and the temperature resolution reaches 0.01 K. These results indicate that NaMgBO3: 0.01Ce(3+), 0.06Mn(2+) phosphor may be a good candidate of key material for sensitive and high resolution temperature sensing devices.

Automated summary

A series of dual-emitting phosphors NaMgBO3: Ce3+, Mn2+ were synthesized and characterized, demonstrating potential application in optical thermometry with excellent temperature sensitivity and resolution.