Preparation and luminescent modulation of KGaSiO4:Eu3+ phosphors using for multiple anti-counterfeiting

Anti-counterfeiting technology is of great significance to information security. To obtain high-quality anti-counterfeiting materials, the developments of inorganic materials are crucial. In this paper, a series KGaSiO4:xEu3+ phosphors with persistent luminescence, photoluminescence, and thermochromic have been successfully prepared and the application of quadruple anti-counterfeiting is realized. The X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement indicate that the phosphors are pure phase. With Eu3+ ions doping, the structure change, site occupancies, and color-tunable phenomenon are carefully investigated. Different from another Eu3+ doping phosphor, the emission of KGaSiO4:0.2% Eu3+ phosphor changes with the excitation light in the region of 240 nm–306 nm. The emission color can be modulated with the surrounding temperature. Surprisingly, this phosphor can emit green afterglow light, which is attributed to the different luminescent properties of the matrix and doping of Eu3+ ions. The series of phosphors exhibit abundant luminescent properties. Based on their wavelength dependence, concentration quenching, long afterglow, and thermochromic properties, the KGaSiO4:xEu3+ phosphors can be effective materials for quadruple-modal anti-counterfeiting devices.