Dual-mode dichromatic SrBi4Ti4O15: Er3+ emitting phosphor for anti-counterfeiting application

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2021.02.064
• Publication Date: 2021-02-09T06:24:05Z
• Authors: Yujian Wu; Xiaoqi Zhao; Zhiyu Zhang; Jinmeng Xiang; Hao Suo; Chongfeng Guo
• Keywords: Green-light; Dual mode

Abstract Fluorescent materials have been widely used for anti-counterfeiting of important documents and currencies, wherein their anti-counterfeit abilities could be improved through multi-mode excitation. Herein, dual-mode-excited double-colour-emitting Er3+doped SrBi4Ti4O15 up-conversion (UC) phosphors (SBTO: Er3+) were synthesised, and their UC spectra included green (2H11/2/4S3/2 → 4I15/2) and red (4F9/2 → 4I15/2) emissions from Er3+ ions under 980 or 1550 nm excitation. However, the green emission colour of phosphors was independent of dopant concentration under 980 nm laser irradiation; whereas the final emission colour was dominated by red emission and significantly affected by contents of Er3+ under 1550 nm excitation. These observations demonstrated potential application in dual-mode double-colour anti-counterfeiting. The possible UC mechanisms and emission characteristics of the phosphors using different 980 and 1550 nm irradiation source were contrastively investigated, and some fluorescent security patterns were also designed to demonstrate the potential applications in anti-counterfeiting and concealing important information.