Synthesis of the long‐persistence phosphor CaAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+, Nd3+ by combustion method and its luminescent properties

Calcium aluminate phosphor co‐doped Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺, Nd³⁺ is prepared by the combustion method. We study systemically the influences of the quantity of mixed Dy³⁺ ion, the quantity of flux H₃BO₃, the differences in dispersing methods between magnetic stirring and ultrasonic dispersing and the combustion temperature on the long‐persistence phosphor. The analytical results indicate that Dy³⁺ ion improves the properties of the phosphors CaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Nd³⁺. The appropriate quantity of flux H₃BO₃ to reduce the forming temperature of the sample was determined. The monoclinic single phase of CaAl₂O₄ formed at 500°C and remained steady. The calcium aluminate co‐doped Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺, Nd³⁺ was synthesized by dispersal of the raw material using the ultrasonic method, and it had better optical properties. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Ca3(BO3)2:Eu3+ via two‐step method

Novel Ca₂B₂O₅·H₂O:Eu³⁺ nanotubes, constructed with nanobelts, were prepared using a hydrothermal method. The Ca₃(BO₃)₂:Eu³⁺ nanobelts with a thickness of about 100 nm were made for the first time using a two‐step hydrothermal process with Ca₂B₂O₅·H₂O:Eu³⁺ as the precursor. The samples were characterized by energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infra‐red spectroscopy, thermogravimetry differential thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The relationship between Ca₃(BO₃)₂:Eu³⁺ and Ca₂B₂O₅·H₂O:Eu³⁺ was also studied. Possible reaction and growth mechanisms for Ca₂B₂O₅·H₂O:Eu³⁺ and Ca₃(BO₃)₂:Eu³⁺ were proposed. Ca₃(BO₃)₂:Eu³⁺ preserved the basic microstructure unit of Ca₂B₂O₅·H₂O:Eu³⁺. Both Ca₂B₂O₅·H₂O:Eu³⁺ and Ca₃(BO₃)₂:Eu³⁺ exhibited red emissions centred at 614 nm, but the maximum excitation peaks for Ca₂B₂O₅·H₂O:Eu³⁺ and Ca₃(BO₃)₂:Eu³⁺ differed. Ca₃(BO₃)₂:Eu³⁺ exhibited higher photoluminescence intensity but a lower R/O value than Ca₂B₂O₅·H₂O:Eu³⁺.     

An intelligent approach to the discovery of luminescent materials using a combinatorial approach combined with Taguchi methodology

A significant advance made in combinatorial approach research was that the emphasis shifted from simple mixing to intelligent screening, so as to improve the efficiency and accuracy of discovering new materials from a larger number of diverse compositions. In this study, the long‐lasting luminescence of SrAl₂O₄, which is co‐doped with Eu²⁺, Ce³⁺, Dy³⁺, Li⁺ and H₃BO₃, was investigated based on a combinatorial approach in conjunction with the Taguchi method. The minimal number of 16 samples to be tested (five dopants and four levels of concentration) were designed using the Taguchi method. The samples to be screened were synthesized using a parallel combinatorial strategy based on ink‐jetting of precursors into an array of micro‐reactor wells. The relative brightness of luminescence of the different phosphors over a particular period was assessed. Ce³⁺ was identified as the constituent that detrimentally affected long‐lasting luminescence. Its concentration was optimized to zero. Li⁺ had a minor effect on long‐lasting luminescence but the main factors that contributed to the objective property (long‐lasting luminescence) were Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ and H₃BO₃, and the concentrations of these dopants were optimized to 0.020, 0.030 and 0.300, respectively, for co‐doping into SrAl₂O₄. This study demonstrates that the utility of the combinatorial approach for evaluating the effect of components on an objective property (e.g. phosphorescence) and estimating the expected performance under the optimal conditions can be improved by the Taguchi method. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photostimulated luminescence properties of Eu2+‐doped barium aluminate phosphor

An intense green photostimulated luminescence in BaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺ phosphor was prepared. The thermoluminescence results indicate that there are at least three types of traps (T₁, T₂, T₃) with different trap depths in BaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺ phosphor according to the bands located at 327, 361 and 555 K, respectively, which are closely associated with the phosphor's long persistent luminescence and photostimulated luminescence properties. In addition, as a novel optical read‐out form, a photostimulated persistent luminescence signal can be repeatedly obtained in BaAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺ phosphor. This shows that re‐trapping of the electron released from a deep trap plays an important role in photostimulated persistent luminescence. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A demonstration that o2− is a crucial intermediate in the high quantum yield luminescence of luminol

The chemiluminescence of luminol, due to its reaction with alkaline H₂O₂, is inhibited by Superoxide dismutase or by hydroxyl radical scavengers. Hematin markedly enhances this H₂O₂-induced luminescence of luminol and lessens, but does not eliminate, the sensitivity towards these inhibitors. Reaction mechanisms are proposed to account for these results. Since luminol luminescence depends upon a reaction between the luminol radical and O₂⁻, and since the luminol radical can reduce dioxygen to O₂⁻, Superoxide dismutase-inhibitable luminol luminescence cannot be reliably used as a detector of O₂⁻ production.     

Oriented solids as a colloid suspension in nematic liquid crystal – New tool for IR-spectroscopic and structural elucidation of inorganic compounds and glasses

Possibilities of the linear-polarized infrared (IR-LD) spectroscopy of oriented colloid suspensions in nematic liquid crystals, for structural and local structural elucidation for first time are demonstrated of inorganic compounds and glasses. The advantages of the method for tellurite and borate glasses are shown. The IR-band assignment of the typical local structural units in the glasses are proposed by a comparison with the IR-characteristics of appropriate crystalline analogues as α-TeO₂, V₂O₅, MoO₃ · H₂O and its high temperature form. The IR-spectroscopic characteristics of BO₃, BO₄ and boroxol ring are elucidated, using crystalline β-BaB₂O₄, SrB₄O₇, H₃BO₃ and B₂O₃ as model systems, where the structural moieties have been refined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Novel gaseous polyatomic binary and ternary lanthanide oxides

A variety of novel gaseous polyatomic binary and ternary oxides were observed at ambient temperature arising from lanthanide (Ln) nitrate Schiff base complexes, simple salts and sesquioxides, in an FAB mass spectrometer. The new binary oxides (as singly positive ions) detected are Ln₂O₃, Ln₃O₃, Ln₃O₄, Ln₄O₄, Ln₄O₅, Ln₄O₆, Ln₅O₆, Ln₅O₇, Ln₅O₈, Ln₆O₈, Ln₆O₉, Ln₇O₁₀, Ln₈O₁₁, Ln₈O₁₂ and Ln₉O₁₃; the ternary gaseous oxides are CeEuO₂, CeEu₂O₃ and Ce₂EuO₄, LaYbO₂, La₂YbO₄ and LaYb₂O₄; NdHoO₃, Nd₂HoO₄, and NdHo₂O₄; YTmO₃; Y_xTm_3−xO₄, x=1−2; Y_xTm_4−xO₆, x=1−3; Y_xTm_5−xO₇, x=1−4; Y_xTm_6−xO₉, x=1−5. Some of these oxides show the lanthanide cations in unusual oxidation states. Gadolinium-gallium ternary oxides, GdGaO₂, GdGaO₃ and Gd₂GaO₄ were also detected. The FAB MS environment is significantly reducing, yielding a homologous series Eu_nO_n where Eu²⁺ is dominant (E°(Eu³⁺/Eu²⁺)=−0.35 V) and no gallium or indium oxides (E°(M³⁺/M°=−0.34 V (In), −0.53 V (Ga)) were formed. The stoichiometry of the polylanthanide ternary oxides formed is determined largely by the chemistry of the major metallic component. The gaseous polyatomic oxides are probably formed through a reductive condensation process involving primary species Ln⁺ and LnO⁺ formed when the rare earth compounds are struck by fast Xe atoms. The demonstrated possibility of double component oxide formation broadens the number and types of gaseous lanthanide oxides which are accessible.     

Sugar complexes with alkaline earth metal ions. Synthesis,structure, and spectroscopic studies of Mg(II), Sr(II), and Ba(II) complexes of d-glucur

Interaction between D-glucuronic acid and alkaline earth metal ions leads to the formation of the complexes such as M(D-glucuronate)X· nH₂O and M(D-glucuronate)₂ · nH₂O, where M = Mg(II), Sr(II), and Ba(II), X = Cl^? or Br^?, and n = 2–4. Owing to the distinct spectral similarities with the structurally known Ca(D-gluguronate)Br · 3H₂O compound, the metal cations bind to three sugar moieties (through O₆, O₅ of the first, O₆', O₄ of the second, and O₁, O₂ of the third residue) and to two H₂O molecules, forming an eight-coordination geometry around each metal ion, in M(D-glucuronate)X · nH₂O (except for Mg(II) ion, which is six-coordination). The metal ions in M(D-glucuronate)₂-nH₂O show six-coordination in different structural environments. The strong hydrogen bonding network of the free acid is weakened upon metalation and the sugar moiety crystallizes as α-anomer, in these series of metal-sugar complexes.     

Photoluminescent properties of Eu3+‐Eu2+ activated MAl2SixO2x + 4 (M = Mg,Ca, Sr,Ba) phosphors prepared in air

In this paper, MAl₂Si_xO_2x+4:Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ (Eu²⁺ + Eu³⁺ = 2%, molar ratio; M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba; x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2) phosphors with different SiO₂ concentrations (the ratio of SiO₂ to MAl₂O₄ is n%, n = 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, respectively) were prepared by high‐temperature solid‐state reaction under atmospheric air conditions. Their structures and photoluminescent properties were systematically researched. The results indicate that Eu³⁺ ions have been reduced and Eu²⁺ ions are obtained in air through the self‐reduction mechanism. The alkaline earth metal ions and doping SiO₂ strongly affect the crystalline phase and photoluminescent properties of samples, including microstructures, relative intensity of Eu²⁺ to Eu³⁺, location of emission lines/bands. It is interesting and important that the emission color and intensities of europium‐doped various phosphors which consist of aluminosilicate matrices prepared under atmospheric air conditions could be modulated by changing the kinds of alkaline earth metal and the content of SiO₂.     

Computer graphics applications of electron deformation densities and electrostatic potentials in coordination chemistry

Computer programs have been developed in order to display on a raster scan device electron deformation densities and electrostatic potentials, both as 2D colour-filled contour maps and as 3D solid models. Furthermore, as this quantum chemical model has proved to be adequate for transition metal complexes, the combined use of the Xα formalism and computer graphics is expected to be of value in rationalizing the reactivity of coordination and organometallic compounds. The examples of [Cr(O₂)₄]³⁻, [Mo(O₂)₄]²⁻ and [Nb(O₂)₄]³⁻ are discussed in an attempt to understand the differences in catalytic properties exhibited by parent metal dioxygen complexes.     

UVB‐emitting Gd3+‐activated M2O2S (where M = La,Y) for phototherapy lamp phosphors

Gd ^{3 +}‐ activated oxysulphide ( M₂O₂S ) may be used to study Photoluminescence (PL) properties with respect to phototherapy . Gd ^{3 +}‐ activated phosphor materials are widely used for phototherapy lamps . The Gd ^{3 +} ion gives characteristic Narrow-Band (NB) emissions , in particular in the ultraviolet ( UV ) light region , that are used to treat more than 50 types of skin diseases . In this paper , M₂O₂S oxysulphide doped with Gd ^{3 +} was synthesized by the solid‐state flux fusion method and its down conversion spectral properties were studied as a function of different Gd ^{3 +} concentrations . The sample was characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) , Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) , Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR) , and PL and the crystal structure was also studied . The lanthanum oxysulphide ( La₂O₂S )‐ activated Gd ^{3 +} ion showed a sharp emission peak at 314 nm when excited at 275 nm excitation , whereas the yttrium oxysulphide ( Y₂O₂S )‐ activated Gd ^{3 +} ion showed a sharp emission at 316 nm when excited by 272 nm . The effect of concentration of the Gd ^{3 +} ion on the luminescence properties of M₂O₂S : Gd ^{3 +} phosphor was also studied . These phosphor materials activated with the Gd ^{3 +} ion may be suitable for phototherapy lamps , which are used to treat many types of skin diseases such as psoriasis , vitiligo , or scleroderma. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Luminescence properties of neodymium,samarium, and europium niobate and tantalate thin films

Thin films of lanthanide orthoniobate LnNbO₄ (LnNO) and orthotantalate LnTaO₄ (LnTO), (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu) were fabricated using the sol–gel method with subsequent spin-coating on the PbZrO₃/Al₂O₃ substrate and annealing at 1000°C. X-ray diffraction patterns showed monoclinic M-LnNbO₄ or M´-LnTaO₄, which coexists with the orthorhombic or tetragonal phase. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrated the presence of Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺/Sm²⁺ and Eu³⁺/Eu²⁺ ions. The luminescence properties of polymorphic films were investigated. Excitation spectra of PbZrO₃ interlayer represented broad bands at 410 and 550 nm that were assigned to charge transfer bands (CTB). In all films, the CTB broad band at ~275 nm related to charge transfer transition of Ln³⁺→O²⁻ and NbO₄³⁻ or TaO₄³⁻ groups. In excitation spectra, ⁴I_9/2→⁴G_5/2 (Nd³⁺), ⁶H_5/2→⁶P_3/2 (Sm³⁺) and ⁷F₀→⁵L₆ (Eu³⁺) transitions (at 585, 402 and 395 nm), respectively were found to be more intense than any other Ln³⁺ transition. The emission spectra showed narrow and intense bands at 1065, 600, and 614 nm that were ascribed to Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺, and Eu³⁺ 4f–f intraconfigurational transitions ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_11/2, ⁴G_5/2→⁶H_7/2, and ⁵D₀→⁷F₂, respectively. The excellent luminescence properties of films make them new potential groups for visible and/or near-infrared applications such as sensors and imaging equipment.     

Thermal quenching of luminescence of LiSr4(BO3)3:Eu2+ orange‐emitting phosphor

An orange‐emitting phosphor, Eu²⁺‐activated LiSr₄(BO₃)₃, was synthesized using the conventional solid‐state reaction. The photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra, and temperature dependence of the luminescence intensity of the phosphor were investigated. The results showed that LiSr₄(BO₃)₃:Eu²⁺ could be efficiently excited by incident light of 250–450 nm, and emits a strong orange light. With increasing temperature, the emission bands of LiSr₄(BO₃)₃:Eu²⁺ show an abnormal blue‐shift with broadening bandwidth and decreasing emission intensity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural,photoluminescence and dielectric investigations of phosphatic shale

In the current study, the structural and spectroscopic properties of phosphatic shale samples obtained from the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research were probed for potential use as a phosphor material. X‐ray diffraction and Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the beneficiated phosphatic shale samples were primarily monophasic consisting of fluorapatite [Ca₅(PO₄)₃F, (FAP)] with minor traces of haematite (α‐Fe₂O₃) and calcite (CaCO₃). Energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence revealed the presence of U, Eu, Dy and Tb in the FAP matrix substituted at Ca(I) and Ca(II) sites of FAP. A reduced optical direct band gap of 4.46 eV was calculated from the Tauc plot. Photoluminescence spectral studies revealed multicolour emissions (red, yellow, green and blue) on ultraviolet light excitation that were attributed to luminescence spectra from rare earth ions Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, U⁴⁺ and U⁶⁺ in the FAP matrix. The overall emissions for the rare earth and actinide‐doped FAP were obtained in the cool white region and the corresponding Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage chromaticity coordinates were calculated to be (0.274, 0.317). The corresponding colour correlated temperature obtained was 9342 K. Furthermore, phosphatic shale had a high room temperature dielectric constant of 11 at a frequency of 1 kHz that demonstrated its suitability for use in biological sensors. The study showed that natural phosphatic shale could be a potential material for optical, biological and dielectric applications.     

Improving green emission of Tb3+ ions in BaO‐B2O3‐P2O5 glasses by means of Al3+ ions

BaO‐B₂O₃‐P₂O₅ glasses doped with a fixed concentration of Tb³⁺ ions and varying concentrations of Al₂O₃ were synthesized, and the influence of the Al³⁺ ion concentration on the luminescence efficiency of the green emission of Tb³⁺ ions was investigated. The optical absorption, excitation, luminescence spectra and fluorescence decay curves of these glasses were recorded at ambient temperature. The emission spectra of terbium ions when excited at 393 nm exhibited two main groups of bands, corresponding to ⁵D₃ → ⁷F_j (blue region) and ⁵D₄ → 7F_j (green region). From these spectra, the radiative parameters, viz., spontaneous emission probability A, total emission probability A_T, radiative lifetime τ and fluorescent branching ratio β, of different transitions originating from the ⁵D₄ level of Tb³⁺ ions were evaluated based on the Judd‐Ofelt theory. A clear increase in the quantum efficiency and luminescence of the green emission of Tb³⁺ ions corresponding to ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ transition is observed with increases in the concentration of Al₂O₃ up to 3.0 mol%. The improvement in emission is attributed to the de‐clustering of terbium ions by Al³⁺ ions and also to the possible admixing of wave functions of opposite parities. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The high thermal stability of white emitting phosphor Mg2Y2Al2Si2O12:Dy3+,Eu3+,La3+/Lu3+ for white light emitting diodes

A series of Mg₂Y₂Al₂Si₂O₁₂:Dy³⁺,Eu³⁺ was prepared using a solid-state method, and the phosphor emitted white light by tuning the ratio of Dy³⁺/Eu³⁺. The effects of La³⁺/Lu³⁺ on the structure and luminescence properties of Mg₂Y₂Al₂Si₂O₁₂:Dy³⁺,Eu³⁺ were explored. Under the influence of bond length and twist, the luminescence intensity of the materials increased first and then decreased under excitation with ultraviolet light. The lattice distortion of the trivalent cation La³⁺-substituted Mg₂Y₂Al₂Si₂O₁₂:Dy³⁺ and Eu³⁺ phosphors was reduced, the symmetry of polyhedron occupied by the luminescence centre improved, and the thermal stability of the luminescence centre improved to a certain extent. White light emitting diodes (LEDs) were fabricated by combining a 370 nm LED chip and the Mg₂Y₂Al₂Si₂O₁₂:Dy³⁺,Eu³⁺,La³⁺ (Mg₂Y₂Al₂Si₂O₁₂:Dy³⁺,Eu³⁺,Lu³⁺) phosphor. The results showed that Mg₂Y₂Al₂Si₂O₁₂:Dy³⁺,Eu³⁺,La³⁺/Lu³⁺ may have potential application in the area of white LEDs.     

Over 104-fold amplified upconversion luminescence of lanthanide nanocrystals through optical oscillator-like system

Recently, lanthanide (Ln) luminescent nanocrystals have attracted increasing attention in various fields such as biomedical imaging, lasers, and anticounterfeiting. However, due to the forbidden 4f–4f transition of lanthanide ions, the absorption cross-section and luminescence brightness of lanthanide nanocrystals are limited. To address the challenge, we constructed an optical oscillator-like system to repeatedly simulate lanthanide nanocrystals to enhance the absorption efficiency of lanthanide ions on excitation photons. In this optical system, the upconversion luminescence (UCL) of Tm³⁺ emission of ~450 nm excited by a 980 nm laser can be amplified by a factor beyond 10⁴. The corresponding downshifting luminescence of Tm³⁺ at 1460 nm was enhanced by three orders of magnitude. We also demonstrated that the significant luminescence enhancement in the designed optical oscillator-like system was general for various lanthanide nanocrystals including NaYF₄:Yb³⁺/Ln³⁺, NaErF₄@NaYF₄ and NaYF₄:Yb³⁺/Ln³⁺@NaYF₄:Yb³⁺@NaYF₄ (Ln = Er, Tm, Ho) regardless of the wavelengths of excitation sources (808 and 980 nm). The mechanism study revealed that both elevated laser power in the optical system and multiple excitations on lanthanide nanocrystals were the main reason for the luminescence amplification. Our findings may benefit the future development of low-threshold upconversion and downshifting luminescence of lanthanide nanocrystals and expand their applications.     

Syntheses, structures and properties of three nonmetal borates with salicylic acid and organic amines

Three new borates containing nonmetal compounds, [C₄H₁₂N][BO₄(C₇H₄O)₂] (1), [C₈H₂₀N][BO₄(C₇H₄O)₂] (2) and [C₆H₁₈N₂]_0.5[BO₄(C₇H₄O)₂] (3) have been prepared, aiming at the formation of extended supramolecular networks with organic-inorganic hybrid materials of salicylic acid and boric acid. The corresponding compounds have been characterized by chemical and spectroscopic techniques. X-ray diffraction analyses of available single crystals revealed that the molecular structures of the three compounds have the same isolated [BO₄(C₇H₄O)₂]⁻ anion. The [BO₄(C₇H₄O)₂]⁻ anion with a distorted BO₄ tetrahedron is formed by bidentate coordination of the B atom to two salicylic acid molecules via the O atoms of the central carboxyl and α-hydroxyl groups. The three compounds display violet luminescence with emission maxima around 365 nm.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of platinum(II) complexes of N,N′-dicyclohexylethylenediamine

The platinum(II) complexes of the formula [Pt(DCHEDA)X₂], where DCHEDA is N,N′-dicyclohexylethylenediamine and X⁻ is CL⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, 0.5C₂O₄²⁻ (oxalate), 0.5C₃H₂O₄²⁻ (malonate), 0.5C₉H₄O₆²⁻ (4-carboxyphthalate), 0.5S₂O₃²⁻ or 0.5SO₄²⁻, have been synthesized and characterized by UVVis, IR, and ¹H NMR spectral techniques. All the above complexes are non-electrolytes in DMF/H₂O, except the sulphate complex which becomes a 1:1 electrolyte after incubation for 24 h at 28 °C. The halide complexes were also studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and these data suggest that there is π-bonding from platinum to halide in these complexes. The oxalate, malonate and sulphate bind in their complexes as bidentate ligands to platinum through two oxygen atoms whereas the thiosulphate in its complex binds as a bidentate ligand to platinum through one oxygen atom and one sulphur atom.     

Effect of Composition and Impurities on the Phosphorescence of Green-Emitting Alkaline Earth Aluminate Phosphor

Recent improvements to SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphors have enabled the use of luminescent hosts with a stable crystal structure and high physical and chemical stability, thus overcoming the bottleneck in the applicability of ZnS:Cu phosphors. However, enhancement of afterglow lifetime and brightness in SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphors remains a challenging task. Here, we have improved the afterglow characteristics in terms of persistence time and brightness by a systematic investigation of the composition of Eu-doped alkaline earth aluminate SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ crystals. We found that a Dy³⁺/Eu²⁺ ratio of ~2.4 and ~0.935 mol Eu²⁺ (per mol of SrAl₂O₄) gave the brightest and longest emissions (11% and 9% increase for each). Doping with Si⁴⁺ also resulted in a slight increase in brightness up to ~15%. Doping with alkali metal or alkaline earth metal significantly enhanced the phosphorescence intensity. In particular, doping with 0.005 mol Li⁺ (per mol of SrAl₂O₄) alone boosted the phosphorescence intensity to 239% of the initial value, as compared to that observed for the non-doped crystal, while doping with 0.01 mol Mg²⁺ and 0.005 mol Li⁺ (per 1 mol SrAl₂O₄) boosted the phosphorescence intensity up to 313% of the initial value. The results of this investigation are expected to act as a guideline for the synthesis of bright and long persistent phosphors, and facilitate the development of persistent phosphors with afterglow characteristics superior to those of conventional phosphors.