Strong f-f excitation in titanium silicate: Near-UV LED pumped red phosphors with outstanding temperature sensitivity

Optical thermometry and white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) are the research hotspots for Eu³⁺ doped phosphors. In this study, a series of Sr₂TiSi₂O₈: Eu³⁺ red phosphors were developed in a solid-state reaction method. The luminescent properties of the Sr₂TiSi₂O₈: Eu³⁺ phosphor illustrate that Sr₂TiSi₂O₈: Eu³⁺ is effectively excited by the NUV LED chip and emit an intense red light with a peak of 618 nm due to the noninversion symmetry coordination of Eu³⁺ in Sr₂TiSi₂O₈. The local coordination environment of Eu³⁺ was investigated in detail using crystallographic data, spectroscopic data and Judd–Ofelt parameters. In addition, the emission intensity of Sr₂TiSi₂O₈:Eu³⁺ is extremely sensitive to temperature. The relative sensitivity of Sr₂TiSi₂O₈:Eu³⁺ is 1.1% k^-1@300 k, which is comparable to other Eu³⁺-activated temperature sensing materials. The possible mechanism of the temperature sensitive quenching characteristics was proposed. The results indicate that Sr₂TiSi₂O₈:Eu³⁺ is a potential temperature sensing material.