Innovations in phosphate phosphors: Bridging structure-property gaps for enhanced luminescence

The growing demands for eco-friendly lighting, biomedicine, sensing and smart devices have driven the continuous innovation of luminescent materials. This review focuses on phosphate materials as ideal hosts for high-performance phosphors, exploring their structure-property relationships and spectral regulation strategies. By drawing inspiration from the macro-crystalline structures and mineralization processes of natural minerals, we reveal some interesting methods for enhancing luminescent properties through the crystal structure modification. The review covers crystal structure models, implementation methods, regulation strategies, recent advancements, and the challenges of phosphate phosphors. It introduces the concept of crystal structure modification inspired by minerals, aiming to advance the development of next-generation luminescent materials. This work provides systematic guidance for the screening, performance optimization, and development of new strategies for phosphate-based luminescent materials.