Designing dual-functional lighting via Eu3+-activated MF2 (M2+ = Ca2+, Sr2+ and Ba2+) red-emitting nanoparticles

Developing high efficient and stable red-emitting phosphors is very important in the areas of white lighting-emitting diode (white-LED) and plant growth. Herein, series of Eu³⁺-activated MF₂ (M²⁺ ​= ​Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺) red-emitting nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized at room temperature. Excited at 394 ​nm, these resulting NPs can emit dazzling red emissions and their fluorescence intensities are sensitive to both dopant content and host compound. Moreover, it is found that the studied samples have admirable thermal stability, high quantum efficiencies and color purities, which can be regulated via changing host material. To assess the possible application of final products, three different white-LEDs were packaged by using Eu³⁺-activated MF₂ (M²⁺ ​= ​Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺) red-emitting NPs. Clearly, these manufactured white-LEDs can produce glaring warm white with satisfied electroluminescence behaviors, i.e. low correlated color temperature (<5000 ​K) and high color rendering index (>80). Furthermore, via using the designed NPs, three red-emitting LEDs were also fabricated so as to identify their applications in plant growth. Our findings imply that Eu³⁺-activated MF₂ (M²⁺ ​= ​Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺) NPs are well-suited for dual-functional lighting as red-emitting converters in the realms of white-LED and artificial plant growth LED.