Multifunctional phosphor in white LED lighting and optical thermometry

In the realm of lighting and temperature measurement, advancements in material science are paving the way for significant improvements in technology and safety. Traditional methods, which combine yellow phosphors with blue chips in LEDs, have limitations such as inadequate red light components that affect color rendering and potential hazards from blue light exposure. Interestingly, a multifunctional phosphor has been developed, offering a versatile solution that not only addresses the limitations of traditional white LEDs, but is also used for visualized thermometer.

The recent research, led by Senior Experimenter Jingjing Ru and Assoc. Prof. Bing Zhao from Ningde Normal University, introduces a multifunctional material that could revolutionize white LED lighting and optical thermometry. The team's work on Bi³⁺/Eu³⁺ co-doped Ca₂Ta₂O₇ (CTO:Bi³⁺/Eu³⁺) phosphors with tunable color emission from green to reddish-orange demonstrates how adjustable color emission can be achieved, enhancing the performance of white LEDs and paving the way for optical thermometers. The thermochromism, stability, and repeatability of these phosphors make them particularly noteworthy for applications in visual thermometers or high-temperature safety markings. The construction of a white LED device with a high color rendering index using the CTO:0.04Bi³⁺/0.16Eu³⁺ phosphor underscores its potential application in near-UV pumped white LED devices. The discovery of this multifuncitional material signifies the potential to achieve more energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and safer lighting solutions, while also offering potential applications in visual thermometers and high-temperature safety markings. The work entitled “Dual-functional application of Ca2Ta2O7:Bi3+/Eu3+ phosphors in multicolor tunable optical thermometry and WLED” was published on Frontiers of Optoelectronics (published on Sep. 4, 2024).