Constructing novel red-emitting Ba2Y0.8Eu0.2NbO6:Mn4+ phosphors for multi-type luminescent thermometers and high-security anti-counterfeiting films

To date, luminescent materials have been preferably used for non-contact optical thermometers. In this manner, novel red-emitting Ba₂Y_0.8Eu_0.2NbO₆:Mn⁴⁺ (BYEN:Mn⁴⁺) phosphors were designed for multi-type non-contact luminescent thermometers based on the dual-emission states and temperature-dependent lifetime (TDL) models. In the temperature range of 303–483 K, the sensing sensitivities based on the dual-emission states of (⁵D₀→⁷F₂, ²E_g→⁴A_2g) and (⁵D₀→⁷F₁, ²E_g→⁴A_2g) were estimated. Especially, the maximum absolute sensing sensitivity (S_a) was found to be about 0.1558 K^-1 for the BYEN:0.007Mn⁴⁺ phosphor based on the ⁵D₀→⁷F₁ and ²E_g→⁴A_2g positions. This phosphor also exhibited good relative sensing sensitivity (S_r) (0.0186 K^-1) based on the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ and ²E_g→⁴A_2g states. Besides, the relative sensing sensitivities (S_R) at ⁵D₀→⁷F₁ and ²E_g→⁴A_2g transitions were estimated to be 0.0034 and 0.0194 K^-1, respectively with the help of the TDL technique. In the light of these results, novel red-emitting Ba₂Y_0.8Eu_0.2NbO₆:Mn⁴⁺ phosphors are expected to be a potentially attractive candidate for applications in multi-type luminescent thermometers. Finally, a novel unique polydimethylsiloxane film exhibiting tricolor-luminescent emissions was introduced and further suggested for high-security anti-counterfeiting.