Eu3+ doping induces asynchronous tuning of luminescence and afterglow in self-activated LiZnSbO4 host for multiple applications

The modulated luminescent materials of the emission colors are important for multimodal information encryption. Hence, realizing multi-mode luminescence and multi-application of singly doped phosphor is still a challenge. Here, we report a self-activation LiZnSbO 4 (LZSO) host exhibiting excitation-wavelength dependent emissions, producing a blue-white emission of 497 nm, a green emission of 517 nm and a significant green persistent luminescence (PersL) phenomenon when exposed to 254 nm and 300 nm UV light for 10 s. However, the introduction of Eu 3+ produces new emission at 610 nm, and at the same time the host emission blueshifts and produces blue emission at 300 nm excitation, yet the PersL remains green (asynchronous tuning). Besides, Eu 3+ generated a surprising anti-quenching phenomenon, realizing the overall color gradually changes from greenish blue to red. Based on the different responses of the host and Eu 3+ to temperature, the maximum relative sensitivity ( S r ) values of LZSO: Eu 3+ reach as high as 5.06 % K −1 (@423 K). The designed phosphors exhibit excitation-wavelength and temperature-dependent emissions and PersL, providing a more substantial advancement in the multi-application effect of information encryption and optical thermometers.