UV-C emitting phosphors of Pr3+-doped fluoroborate nano-glass composites for disinfection and as fast scintillators

Abstract

To overcome the challenges associated with conventional ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light-emitting devices—such as toxic mercury, aging of organic adhesives, and various stability concerns—an efficient UV-C emitting nano-glass composite (nano-GC) has been developed. The transparent nano-GCs embedded with Pr³⁺-doped Li(Al₇B₄O₁₇) nanocrystals (NCs), achieved through precise modulation of the fluoride content in the glass matrix network. The unique architecture of these nano-GCs synergistically combines the high luminescence efficiency characteristic of a crystalline phase with the robustness of glass. Upon excitation by deep-UV, X-ray and high energy electron-beams, the nano-GCs exhibit pronounced 5d–4f interconfigurational emissions of Pr³⁺, with their emission profile closely aligning with the germicidal effectiveness curve. Although the transmittance of nano-GCs is reduced compared to that of precursor glass (PG), their UV-C luminescence output is significantly enhanced—e.g., a sixfold increase under e-beam pumping. These nano-GCs achieve an impressive photoluminescence quantum yield of up to 25.93%, surpassing most previously reported Pr³⁺ doped glasses and nano-GCs. Moreover, the nano-GCs exhibit robust X-ray excited luminescence, with an intensity more than twice that of the commercial Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ (BGO) crystal, and exhibit a highly linear response to X-ray dose, accompanied by a decay time of 24.13 ns under γ-ray excitation. Collectively, this study presents a novel approach to the development of disinfection phosphors and fast scintillators.