Dual-mode optical thermometry and multicolor anti-counterfeiting based on Bi3+/Er3+ co-activated BaGd2O4 phosphor

Here, Bi³⁺, Er³⁺ co-activated gadolinium phosphors with multimode emission properties are prepared, which can emits blue, green, and orange light under the excitation of ultraviolet, 980 and 1550 nm, respectively. Moreover, BaGd₂O₄:Bi³⁺, Er³⁺ can show multicolor luminescence under different excitation conditions, such as pump light source, ambient temperature, working current, and other factors. Based on the dynamic luminescence characteristics, the dynamic anti-counterfeiting experiments are designed based on the phosphor. At the same time, the material also shows multimode temperature sensing characteristics. Under the excitation of 980 nm laser, three strong up-conversion signals Er³⁺ ions are generated at 528 nm (²H_11/2), 555 nm (⁴S_3/2), and 668 nm (⁴F_9/2), which have different temperature dependences. Based on the fluorescence intensity ratio between thermal-coupled energy levels (²H_11/2/⁴S_3/2) and nonthermal-coupled energy levels (²H_11/2/⁴F_9/2) of Er³⁺ ions, respectively, the dual-mode temperature thermometer was constructed with high-temperature sensitivity. In addition, the fluorescence lifetime of Bi³⁺ ions also has a strong temperature dependence, which can be used as another temperature detection signal, greatly improving the stability of thermometers under harsh conditions. Therefore, the material has a bright prospect in the field of anti-counterfeiting and temperature sensing.