Self-reduction-induced BaMgP2O7:Eu2+/3+: a multi-stimuli-responsive phosphor for X-ray detection, anti-counterfeiting and optical thermometry

Mixed-valence Eu2+/3+-activated phosphors have attracted wide attention due to their excellent luminescence tunability. Steady control of the Eu2+/Eu3+ ratio is the key to achieving reproducible Eu2+/3+ co-doped materials. In this work, BaMgP2O7:xEu2+/3+ (BMPO:Eu, x = 0.001-0.20) was successfully prepared by the traditional solid-state method in air. Eu3+ undergoes selective self-reduction at Ba2+ sites surrounded by a [P2O7] framework, leading to quantitive Eu2+/Eu3+. The phosphors exhibit a blue-violet emission band at ∼410 nm due to 5d-4f transitions of Eu2+ and a group of red emission peaks from 5D0-7FJ of Eu3+. Controllable multicolor emissions are realized by regulating the Eu content and excitations. A linear response of overall luminescence intensity to irradiation dose makes the phosphor appropriate for X-ray detection. The combination of UV-blue excitation-dependent color evolution and X-ray luminescence qualifies the phosphors with great potential for multi-level anti-counterfeiting. In addition, Eu3+ presents abnormal anti-thermal quenching, so that the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) of Eu2+/Eu3+ changes in the temperature range of 300-520 K, suggesting a promising application in optical thermometry. Therefore, selectively partial self-reduction in a multi-cationic host is an effective strategy to design mixed-valence co-doped materials, providing a multiplicity of applications.