Title: Eco-Friendly Perovskite Materials with Near-Infrared Persistent Luminescence for Advanced Forest Monitoring
Research proposal No: 1.1.1.9/LZP/2/25/186
Duration: 01.02.2026.-31.01.2029.
Project Leader: Ph.D. Guna Doke, Institute of Solid State Physics University of Latvia (ISSP UL)
Total budget: 183 297.60 EUR
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding: 155 802.96 EUR
State budget funding: 18 329.76 EUR
ISSP UL budget: 9 164.88 EUR
Project description:
The research application is being implemented at the Institute of Solid State Physics of the University of Latvia, which specializes in solid-state physics, materials science, and optical materials. The project aims to develop environmentally friendly, sunlight-excited Cr³⁺-activated perovskite materials with persistent luminescence in the near-infrared spectral region, intended for labelling young seedlings to enable remote monitoring. The project directly corresponds to the priority area of the Latvian Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3) “Smart Materials, Technologies and Engineering Systems”.
The main activities include the synthesis and structural/spectroscopic characterization (XRD, PL, TSL, EPR, etc.) of new MTiO₃ (M = Ca, Sr, Mg) perovskite materials, defect engineering, composition optimization, development and testing of an optical marker prototype, as well as preparation of a patent application. During the project, mobility to at least three foreign research centers and dissemination of results in the scientific and public space are planned.
The planned results include at least three scientific publications in Q1/Q2 journals, one popular science publication, international conference presentations, and a patentable optical marker prototype with high commercialization potential.
Keywords: persistent luminescence, perovskite, near-infrared radiation, optical materials, forest monitoring
PROJECT PROGRESS
Time period: 01.02.2026.–31.07.2026.
In collaboration with the Institute of Chemistry of Vilnius University, Cr3+-activated CaTiO3, SrTiO3, and MgTiO3 samples were synthesized using the sol-gel method. At the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, Cr3+-activated CaTiO3, SrTiO3, and BaTiO3 samples were synthesized using the solid-state synthesis method.
All synthesized samples underwent preliminary characterization of their optical and defect-related properties. Analysis of the obtained results indicates that MgTiO3: Cr3+ and CaTiO3: Cr3+ exhibit the most promising properties for achieving the objectives of the project. Based on these findings, expanded synthesis and in-depth characterization of these material groups have been initiated, with the aim of preparing two scientific manuscripts.
Conferences
FMNT 2026, Riga, Latvia, 15–18 June 2026.
Poster presentation: Guna Doke, Pavels Rodionovs, “Early Stage Development of Eco-Friendly NIR Persistent Phosphors for Remote Forest Monitoring”.IWASOM 2026, Gdańsk, Poland, 5–10 July 2026.
Oral presentation: Guna Doke, Pavels Rodionovs, Andris Antuzevics, Guna Krieke, Meldra Kemere, “From Anti-Counterfeiting to Forest Monitoring: Application-Driven Development of Cr3+-Activated NIR Persistent Phosphors”.
Mobility
Gdańsk, Poland (5 days) – participation in the conference and networking activities.