Deciphering Defect‐Mediated Anti‐Thermal Quenching Multimodal Luminescence for Information Encryption

Y Yuefei Xiang L Lei Zhong Y Youwang Long (Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Functional Materials and Membrane Technology /School of Chemical Engineering and Technology Sun Yat‐sen University Zhuhai 519082 China) S Shiwen Liu Z Zaidong Cheng (Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Functional Materials and Membrane Technology /School of Chemical Engineering and Technology Sun Yat‐sen University Zhuhai 519082 China) S Shidan Rao (Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Functional Materials and Membrane Technology /School of Chemical Engineering and Technology Sun Yat‐sen University Zhuhai 519082 China) J Junyu Hong B Bing Lei H Hao Suo J Juncheng Zhang L Lei Zhou F Feng Wang M Mingmei Wu

Abstract

Abstract Multimodal luminescent materials displaying dynamically tunable multicolor emissions under diverse excitation channels are at the core of optical information encryption technologies. However, simultaneous achievement of high‐performance multimodal luminescence with anti‐thermal quenching (ATQ) feature remains a critical challenge. Herein, a new class of SrZnP 2 O 7 :RE (RE = Sm 3+ , Dy 3+ , Tb 3+ , Tm 3+ ) phosphors is developed to fulfill these requirements through precise defect engineering. These phosphors exhibit photoluminescence (PL), radioluminescence (RL), mechanoluminescence (ML), thermoluminescence (TL), and persistent luminescence (PersL) with emission spanning 350–750 nm. By strategically incorporating charge compensators (Li + , Na + , K + ), precise regulation of trap distribution and density is demonstrated, yielding remarkable enhancements in PL, quantum efficiency, RL intensity, and X‐ray afterglow duration. Crucially, the engineered deep traps in Sm/Dy/Tm‐doped systems enable exceptional ATQ behavior. Comprehensive investigations reveal the critical role of charge compensation and defect redistribution in modulating luminescence performance. Benefiting from their superior multimodal emission properties, these phosphors demonstrate great promise for X‐ray imaging and high‐security anti‐counterfeiting/encryption applications. This work establishes a new paradigm in luminescent material design, providing both fundamental insights into defect‐luminescence property relationships and a practical framework for constructing advanced optical materials with tailored multimodal responses through precision trap state engineering.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 38, Issue 7
Published February 01, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (13)

Y

Yuefei Xiang

L

Lei Zhong

Y

Youwang Long

Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Functional Materials and Membrane Technology /School of Chemical Engineering and Technology Sun Yat‐sen University Zhuhai 519082 China

S

Shiwen Liu

Z

Zaidong Cheng

Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Functional Materials and Membrane Technology /School of Chemical Engineering and Technology Sun Yat‐sen University Zhuhai 519082 China

S

Shidan Rao

Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Functional Materials and Membrane Technology /School of Chemical Engineering and Technology Sun Yat‐sen University Zhuhai 519082 China

J

Junyu Hong

B

Bing Lei

H

Hao Suo

J

Juncheng Zhang

L

Lei Zhou

F

Feng Wang

M

Mingmei Wu