Synthesis and Application of Luminescent Materials, 2nd Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 3594

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
Interests: optical materials; photophysical mechanisms; chemical sensors; biological imaging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Luminescent materials including fluorescent and phosphorescent materials have attracted significant interest and been thoroughly studied in a variety of fields, including light-emitting diodes, cellular imaging, chemo/biosensing and photodetectors. This Special Issue will provide a collection of the latest research activities in the field of luminescent materials such as carbon dots, aggregation-induced emission luminogens, quantum dots, room-temperature phosphorescence materials, and nanoclusters. We focus on the development of new preparation strategies of luminescent materials with a controlled structure and the current development of luminescent materials in chemo/biosensing, imaging, light-emitting diodes, cancer therapy, information encryption, etc. Moreover, the investigation of the optical mechanism of luminescent materials is also of interest.

Given the success of the first edition of this Special Issue, a second volume has been launched, seeking to gather original research articles and reviews. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • The new concepts involved in synthesizing new types of luminescent materials;
  • The design of luminescent materials for various applications such as sensing, imaging, light-emitting diodes and anti-counterfeiting;
  • State-of-the-art technologies used to improve the performances of luminescent materials;
  • The optical mechanisms of luminescent materials;
  • The development of luminescent material-based devices for various applications.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Binbin Chen
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Inorganics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • luminescent materials
  • synthesis design
  • optical mechanism
  • promising applications

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

25 pages, 8071 KiB  
Article
The Interface Interaction of C3N4/Bi2S3 Promoted the Separation of Excitons and the Extraction of Free Photogenerated Carriers in the Broadband Light Spectrum Range
by Xingfa Ma, Xintao Zhang, Mingjun Gao, Ruifen Hu, You Wang and Guang Li
Inorganics 2025, 13(4), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13040122 - 12 Apr 2025
Viewed by 214
Abstract
Exciton generation and separation play an important role in the photoelectric properties and the luminescence performance of materials. In order to tailor the defects and grain boundaries and improve the exciton separation and light harvesting of the graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N [...] Read more.
Exciton generation and separation play an important role in the photoelectric properties and the luminescence performance of materials. In order to tailor the defects and grain boundaries and improve the exciton separation and light harvesting of the graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets, a C3N4/bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) nanocomposite was synthesized. The photoelectric properties of the 405, 532, 650, 780, 808, 980 and 1064 nm light sources were studied using Au electrodes and graphite electrodes with 4B and 5B pencil drawings. The results indicate that the C3N4/Bi2S3 nanocomposite exhibited photocurrent switching behavior in the broadband light spectrum range. It is noted that even with zero bias applied, a good photoelectric signal was still measured. The resulting nanocomposite exhibited good photophysical stability. Physical mechanisms are discussed herein. It is suggested that the interfacial interaction of C3N4 and Bi2S3 in the nanocomposite creates a strong built-in electric field, which accelerates the separation of excitons. Therefore, as a dynamic process of photoexcitation, fluorescence, the photoelectric effect, and scattering are three main competing processes; the separation of excitons and the extraction of free photogenerated charge can be used as a reference for the fluorescent materials or other photoelectric materials studies as photophysical properties. This study also serves as an important reference for the design, defect and grain boundary modulation or interdisciplinary application of functional nanocomposites, especially for the bandgap modulation and suppression of photogenerated carrier recombination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Application of Luminescent Materials, 2nd Edition)
Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 1261 KiB  
Article
Optical Absorption and Luminescence Spectra of Terbium Gallium Garnet TbGaG and Terbium Aluminum Garnet TbAlG
by Nosirjon S. Bozorov, Ismailjan M. Kokanbayev, Akmaljon M. Madaliev, Mavzurjon X. Kuchkarov, Muxtarjan Meliboev, Kobiljon K. Kurbonaliev, Ravshan R. Sultonov, Khayrullo F. Makhmudov, Feruza O. Dadaboyeva, Nargiza Z. Mamadalieva and Shakhlo R. Kukanbaeva
Inorganics 2025, 13(2), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13020061 - 17 Feb 2025
Viewed by 339
Abstract
In this paper, we investigate the optical absorption and luminescence spectra of rare-earth garnets activated by the terbium (Tb3+) ion, as well as their magneto-optical properties. Crystals of terbium gallium garnet (TbGaG) and terbium aluminum garnet (TbAlG) are considered. The focus [...] Read more.
In this paper, we investigate the optical absorption and luminescence spectra of rare-earth garnets activated by the terbium (Tb3+) ion, as well as their magneto-optical properties. Crystals of terbium gallium garnet (TbGaG) and terbium aluminum garnet (TbAlG) are considered. The focus is on the physical and optical properties and structural features of the energy levels of rare-earth ions in the crystal field of garnets. This work highlights the importance of studying intraconfigurational 4f-4f and interconfigurational 4f-5d transitions, as well as the influence of the crystal field on the magnetic and optical properties of materials. Integrated methods are used, including absorption spectroscopy, luminescence and magneto-optical studies, which allows us to obtain detailed information on the excited states of rare-earth ions. The experimental results show the presence of significant Zeeman shifts, as well as anisotropy of the absorption and luminescence spectra, depending on the orientation of the crystal lattice and the external magnetic field. This work contributes to our understanding of the mechanisms of light absorption and emission in rare-earth garnets, which may facilitate the development of new optoelectronic devices based on them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Application of Luminescent Materials, 2nd Edition)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 7521 KiB  
Article
A Novel Fluorescent Chemosensor Based on Rhodamine Schiff Base: Synthesis, Photophysical, Computational and Bioimaging Application in Live Cells
by Oyedoyin Aduroja, Roosevelt Shaw, Sisay Uota, Isaac Abiye, James Wachira and Fasil Abebe
Inorganics 2025, 13(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics13010005 - 27 Dec 2024
Viewed by 802
Abstract
A novel rhodamine-6G derivative RdN was synthesized by condensing rhodamine glyoxal and 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic hydrazide using a microwave irradiation-assisted reaction. Colorimetric and photophysical studies have demonstrated that the molecule produced can selectively sense Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions in a solution of CH [...] Read more.
A novel rhodamine-6G derivative RdN was synthesized by condensing rhodamine glyoxal and 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic hydrazide using a microwave irradiation-assisted reaction. Colorimetric and photophysical studies have demonstrated that the molecule produced can selectively sense Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions in a solution of CH3CN/H2O (9:1, v/v). The spirolactam ring of RdN opens upon complexation with the cations, forming a highly fluorescent complex and a visible color change in the solution. The compound RdN was further studied with the help of computational methods such as the Density Functional Theory (DFT) method and time-dependent density theory (TD-DFT) calculations to study the binding interactions and properties of the molecule. DFT calculations and job plot data supported the 2:1 complex formation between RdN and Pb2+/Cu2+. The limit of detection for Pb2+ was determined to be 0.112 µM and 0.130 µM for Cu2+. The probe RdN was applied to the image of Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions in living cells and is safe for biomedical applications. It is used to monitor Pb2+ in environmental water samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Application of Luminescent Materials, 2nd Edition)
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 3069 KiB  
Article
Photoluminescence Properties of X-Ray Generated Divalent Sm in Mechanochemically Prepared Nanocrystalline CaF₂:Sm3+
by Z. Siti Rozaila, Nicolas Riesen and Hans Riesen
Inorganics 2024, 12(12), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12120332 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 768
Abstract
In this study, the mechanochemical preparation of nanocrystalline CaF2:Sm3+ by ball milling calcium acetate hydrate, samarium (III) acetate hydrate, and ammonium fluoride is reported. The photoluminescence of the as-prepared CaF2:Sm3+ shows predominantly Sm3+ 4G5/2 [...] Read more.
In this study, the mechanochemical preparation of nanocrystalline CaF2:Sm3+ by ball milling calcium acetate hydrate, samarium (III) acetate hydrate, and ammonium fluoride is reported. The photoluminescence of the as-prepared CaF2:Sm3+ shows predominantly Sm3+ 4G5/26HJ(J = 5/2, 7/2, 9/2, and 11/2) f-f luminescence, but intense electric dipole allowed 4f55d (T1u) → 4f6 7F1 (T1g) luminescence by Sm2+ was generated upon X-irradiation. In comparison with the co-precipitated CaF2:Sm3+, the conversion of Sm3+ Sm2+ in the ball-milled sample upon X-irradiation is significantly lower. Importantly, the present results indicate that the crystallite size and X-ray storage phosphor properties of the lanthanide-doped nanocrystalline CaF2 can be modified by adjusting the ball milling time, dopant concentration and post-annealing treatment, yielding crystallite sizes as low as 6 nm under specific experimental conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Application of Luminescent Materials, 2nd Edition)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

8 pages, 2451 KiB  
Article
Large-Scale Synthesis of Carbon Dots Driven by Schiff Base Reaction at Room Temperature
by Jifen Shi, Shuai Chang, Yating Gao, Jian Lv, Ruocan Qian, Binbin Chen and Dawei Li
Inorganics 2024, 12(12), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12120310 - 27 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1026
Abstract
Photoluminescent carbon dots (CDs) have received increasing attention because of their admirable photophysical performances. The current strategies for synthesizing CDs typically require high energy consumption levels, and the ability to synthesize CDs at ambient temperature would be highly desirable. Herein, we design an [...] Read more.
Photoluminescent carbon dots (CDs) have received increasing attention because of their admirable photophysical performances. The current strategies for synthesizing CDs typically require high energy consumption levels, and the ability to synthesize CDs at ambient temperature would be highly desirable. Herein, we design an energy-efficient approach to synthesize CDs through a Schiff base crosslinking between 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone and tetraethylenepentamine at room temperature. The obtained CDs possess maximum photoluminescence (PL) emissions of 492 nm. Moreover, the proposed CDs possess good stability and a concentration-dependent PL and their maximum emissions can redshift from 492 to 621 nm as the CDs concentration increases. Because of their good luminescent properties, the CDs can be employed as optical probes for doxorubicin detection using the inner filter effect. This study develops a powerful approach for the large-scale synthesis of CDs with a superior performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Application of Luminescent Materials, 2nd Edition)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop