Crystal Field Engineering of Pr-Activated Gehlenite with Near Golden Ultraviolet C Emission for 100% Sterilization Efficiency

Ultraviolet C (UVC) sterilization has the advantages of high efficiency, broad spectrum, and no secondary pollution. However, the emission wavelength of UVC phosphors still suffers from a large deviation from the golden sterilization wavelength of 265 nm and a low luminescence intensity. Herein, we report UVC emission near the golden sterilization wavelength as well as a long afterglow through crystal field engineering, which can lead to 100% sterilization efficiency. Combined with theoretical calculation and experimental studies, substitution of Ca2+ with large-sized Sr2+ could obtain slight expansion and distortion of cationic sites, resulting in a decrease in crystal field intensity and blue shift of Ca1.5Sr0.5Al2SiO7:1%Pr3+, and produce near golden UVC emission. Ca1.5Sr0.5Al2SiO7:1%Pr3+ phosphor can effectively inactivate Staphylococcus aureus within 10 min, showing more efficiency than the traditional mercury lamp. This work provides an effective solution for the design and preparation of UVC phosphors using crystal field engineering toward near golden UVC emission.