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

Nanoscale. 2023 Mar 2;15(9):4361-4366. doi: 10.1039/d2nr07264e.

Abstract

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.