Visible-to-Near-Infrared Mechanoluminescence in Bi-Activated Spinel Compounds for Multiple Information Anticounterfeiting

Mechanoluminescence (ML) is the nonthermal luminescence generated in the process of force-to-light conversion, which has broad prospects in stress sensing, wearable devices, biomechanics, and multiple information anticounterfeiting. Multivalence emitter ions utilize their own self-reduction process to realize multiband ML without introducing another dopant, such as Eu 3+ /Eu 2+, Sm 3+ /Sm 2+, and Mn 4+ /Mn 2+ . However, self-reduction-induced ML in bismuth-activated materials has rarely been reported so far. In this work, a novel visible-to-near-infrared (vis–NIR) ML induced by the self-reduction of Bi 3+ to Bi 2+ in the spinel-type compound (MgGa 2 O 4 ) is reported. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra, PL excitation (PLE) spectra, and PL lifetime curves demonstrate that Bi 3+ /Bi 2+ ions are the main luminescence centers. Notably, the possible self-reduction model is proposed, where a magnesium vacancy (V Mg ″ ) is considered as the driving force for the self-reduction of Bi 3+ to Bi 2+ . Furthermore, an oxygen vacancy (V O •• ) is confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Combined with thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves and ML spectra, a plausible trap-controlled ML mechanism is illustrated, where electron–hole (V O •• /V Mg ″ ) pairs play a significant role in capturing electrons and holes. It is worth noting that the proof-of-concept dual-mode electronic signature application is implemented based on the flexible ML film, which improves the capabilities of signature anticounterfeiting for high-level security applications. Besides, multistimulus-responsive luminescence behaviors of the ML film are realized under the excitation of a 254 nm UV lamp, thermal disturbance, 980 nm laser, and mechanical stimuli. In general, this study provides new insights into designing vis–NIR ML materials toward wider application possibilities.