Recent advances in Cr3+-doped near-infrared phosphors: preparation, luminescence, and LED applications

Abstract

Near-infrared (NIR) phosphors constitute a significant class of luminescent materials for light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Recently, considerable research efforts in this active field have been devoted to the development of Cr3+-doped oxide, fluoride, and chloride phosphors for NIR luminescence emission, in which the unique d-d transition enables their tunable luminescence properties suitable for diverse LED applications such as plant growth lighting, bioimaging, night vision, non-destructive testing, and compositional analysis. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in Cr3+-doped NIR phosphors, with emphasis on their detailed preparation methods, luminescence properties, and application potential in LED devices. Additionally, significant research challenges are outlined to guide the development of Cr3+-activated NIR phosphors, supported by a comprehensive list of representative references.