Dual substitution of host lattice ions to enhance the luminescence properties of Zn2TiO4:Cr3+ phosphor

Abstract Near‐infrared light sources have potential applications in many fields. Cr 3+ is a good luminescence centre to prepare near‐infrared phosphors. Improving the performance of existing near‐infrared luminescent materials has indeed attracted great interest from researchers. The luminescence properties of Zn 2 TiO 4 :Cr 3+ were improved by crystal field engineering strategies. Zn 2+ –Ti 4+ was partially replaced using a Li + –Nb 5+ ion pair based on the Zn 2 TiO 4 :Cr 3+ phosphors. Luminescence Cr 3+ ‐activated luminescent materials are sensitive to changes in the local crystal structure and crystal field environment. Doping of Li + –Nb 5+ increased the luminescence intensity up to 2.7 times that of the undoped sample. Also, the thermal stability of the phosphor was greatly increased by the replacement of Li + –Nb 5+ .