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Ultraviolet persistent luminescence in biocompatible phosphates: defect studies in novel materials

Title: Ultraviolet persistent luminescence in biocompatible phosphates: defect studies in novel materials

Research proposal No: 1.1.1.9/LZP/1/24/013

Duration: 01.07.2025.-30.06.2028.

Project Leader: Dr.phys. Andris Antuzevičs

Total budget: 184 140 EUR

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding: 156 519 EUR

ISSP UL budget: 9 207 EUR

 

Project description:

Materials with self-sustained emission in the ultraviolet (UV) spectral range present significant potential in science, industry, and everyday life. The scientific objective of the project is to develop efficient UV-persistent phosphors based on biocompatible phosphate materials to assess their viability for practical applications. Planned actions will include the synthesis and characterisation of pyrophosphate materials, advanced spectroscopic analysis of UV persistent luminescence mechanisms, and defect engineering to improve luminescence efficiency. The novel results, published as at least four scientific articles in Q1/Q2 journals, are expected to advance the knowledge base on point defects, charge transfer and luminescence processes in phosphate materials. The quantitative assessment of key performance parameters will enable the evaluation of the developed materials for practical applications. This research project will contribute to the Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3) area “smart materials, technologies and engineering systems”, by developing efficient optical materials and advancing novel products via future applied project calls.

 

PROJECT PROGRESS

Time period: 01.07.2025. - 31.12.2025.

In collaboration with the Institute of Chemistry, Vilnius University, the following sample series with different rare-earth activator concentrations were synthesised and characterised:

  • X2P2O7: Gd3+      (32 samples)

  • X2P2O7: Pr3+       (18 samples)

X = Ca, Sr, Ba.

A collaboration with the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Science, has been initiated to investigate the ultraviolet up-conversion potential of the investigated materials.

Achieved deliverables:

Publications:

  • N. Rebrova, A. Antuzevics, A. Grippa, G. Doke, P. Rodionovs, P.J. Dereń 

Blue to ultraviolet upconversion properties of Pr3+ doped Sr2MgSi2O7 phosphor

Dalton Transactions 54 (2025) 17914–17920. 

doi.org/10.1039/D5DT02454D.

  • N. Rebrova, A. Antuzevics, G. Doke, D. Nilova, D. Szymański, P.J. Dereń

Efficient ultraviolet upconversion in Ca2Al2SiO7:Pr3+ phosphors under 444 nm excitation for antibacterial applications

Materials Science and Engineering: B 324 (2026) 119000.

doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2025.119000.

Conferences:

  • A. Antuzevics, G. Krieke, G. Doke, P. Rodionovs, D. Nilova, J. Cirulis, D. Salnajs, A. Fedotovs, U. Rogulis

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance: A Pathway to Understanding Optical Processes in Inorganic Solids

Advanced Materials and Technologies 2025, Palanga, Lithuania.

Mobilities:

  • Palanga, Lithuania (5 days) – participation in conference, summer school and networking activities.

Popular science activities:

  • Published popular science entry in the online Latvian National Encyclopaedia:

https://enciklopedija.lv/skirklis/269036-optiski-stimul%C4%93t%C4%81-luminiscence

  • Participation in the “Researcher’s Night” on 26.09.2025.