Phosphors: Synthesis, Properties, and Structures

A special issue of Inorganics (ISSN 2304-6740). This special issue belongs to the section "Inorganic Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 2300

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Centre of Excellence for Photoconversion, Vinča Insitute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: spectroscopy; materials science; nano materials; analytical chemistry; spectroscopic methods of characterization

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre of Excellence for Photoconversion, Vinča Insitute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: nanoscience & nanomaterials; spectroscopy; materials science; materials synthesis and characterization; luminescence thermometry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Phosphor materials have long been at the forefront of luminescence research due to their wide range of applications in lighting, displays, sensing, bioimaging, and radiation detection. Their ability to convert energy into visible light with high efficiency makes them indispensable in both traditional and emerging technologies. With recent advances in material design, dopant engineering, and structural control, new opportunities have arisen for tailoring the optical properties of phosphors at the atomic and nanoscale levels. Exploring the relationships between synthesis methods, structural features, and resulting luminescence behavior is critical to unlocking the full potential of these materials.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue of Inorganics, titled “Phosphors: Synthesis, Properties, and Structures.”

This Special Issue aims to present recent progress in the field of synthesis, characterization, and application of phosphor materials. We welcome contributions that align with the journal’s scope (including inorganic chemistry and materials science), particularly those that provide insight into how structural and compositional factors influence the photophysical properties of luminescent materials. By collecting high-quality original research and reviews, this Special Issue will offer a comprehensive view of current trends and future perspectives in the field.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and review papers are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Design and synthesis of novel phosphor materials.
  • Rare-earth and transition-metal-doped luminescent systems.
  • Structure–property relationships in luminescent materials.
  • Photoluminescence mechanisms and quantum efficiency.
  • Persistent luminescence and thermoluminescence.
  • Nanophosphors for bioimaging and diagnostics.
  • Phosphors for LEDs and solid-state lighting.
  • Defect engineering and energy transfer processes.
  • Advanced characterization techniques for phosphors.
  • Theoretical modeling of luminescent properties.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Ivana Zekovic
Dr. Jovana Periša
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • phosphors
  • luminescence
  • rare-earth doping
  • nanomaterials
  • optical properties
  • synthesis
  • structure–property relationship
  • energy transfer
  • persistent luminescence
  • photoluminescent materials

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 1704 KB  
Article
Phase Relations and Solid Solutions in the YbBO3–ScBO3 System
by Yerassyl Zholdas, Artem Kuznetsov, Asset Bolatov, Ammar Jamous, Valery Svetlichnyi and Konstantin Kokh
Inorganics 2026, 14(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics14010009 - 25 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1029
Abstract
The YbBO3–ScBO3 system was studied across the selected compositional range by means of solid-state synthesis, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and photoluminescence spectroscopy. XRD of annealed samples at 1300–1400 °C revealed that the system reaches equilibrium and [...] Read more.
The YbBO3–ScBO3 system was studied across the selected compositional range by means of solid-state synthesis, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and photoluminescence spectroscopy. XRD of annealed samples at 1300–1400 °C revealed that the system reaches equilibrium and consists of two phases, YbBO3 and ScBO3, separated by a two-phase region. The lattice parameters show a limited solubility between Yb3+ and Sc3+ ions. DSC measurements display a broad endothermic feature at approximately 1480 °C, corresponding to the eutectic point. Near-infrared emission excited at 975–980 nm originates from Yb3+ ions and shows the highest intensity for pure YbBO3 and for the Sc-rich composition, while intermediate samples exhibit weaker luminescence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phosphors: Synthesis, Properties, and Structures)
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11 pages, 2803 KB  
Article
Correlation of EPR and Photoluminescence Analysis for Crystalline Defects in Eu3+/Yb3+-Doped Lutetium Silicate Sol–Gel Powders
by Andrea Danielle Cancino-Moreno, Arturo López-Marure, Stephany Natasha Arellano-Ahumada, Daniel Ramírez-Rosales and Margarita García-Hernández
Inorganics 2025, 13(11), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13110343 - 22 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 835
Abstract
Crystalline defects such as oxygen vacancies have been studied little by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy for silicate-based luminescent materials. In this study, lutetium oxyorthosilicate powders were prepared by the sol–gel method, using TEOS (silicon source) and rare earth salts as precursors. The [...] Read more.
Crystalline defects such as oxygen vacancies have been studied little by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy for silicate-based luminescent materials. In this study, lutetium oxyorthosilicate powders were prepared by the sol–gel method, using TEOS (silicon source) and rare earth salts as precursors. The cross-linking agent, Glymo, contributed silicon atoms to the precursor solution in all systems. The addition of Glymo to Lu2SiO5, Lu2SiO5:Eu and Lu2SiO5:Eu/Yb influenced the morphology and chemical structure of the powders, leading to Lu2Si2O7 formation. The crystalline defects in the lutetium silicate systems were investigated by EPR spectroscopy, and several defects related to oxygen were identified, as well as impurities from the precursors. Photoluminescence emission spectra revealed Eu3+ transitions between 5D07F0, 5D07F1 and 5D07F2 under 258 nm excitation, in addition to oxygen vacancy emissions between 500 and 550 nm. Oxygen vacancies were identified and confirmed by correlating EPR and photoluminescence studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phosphors: Synthesis, Properties, and Structures)
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