Cr3+-Sphere Effect on the Whitlockite-Type NIR Phosphor Sr9Sc(PO4)7 with High Heat Dissipation for Digital Medical Applications

Inorg Chem. 2022 Feb 7;61(5):2530-2537. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c03377. Epub 2022 Jan 24.

Abstract

The analysis of human body composition and food composition requires high-efficiency broadband near-infrared (NIR) lighting sources to achieve a portable, appropriately sized equipment. Herein, we develop a whitlockite-type NIR phosphor Sr9Sc(PO4)7:Cr3+ with an emission centered at 860 nm and full width at half-maximum of 147 nm. Due to the structural characteristics of the matrix, the 60 mol % Cr3+ substitution at the Sc3+ sites gives an internal quantum efficiency up to 56.5%. By replacing Sr with Ba and Ca, we observe a nontypical spectral shift phenomenon and discuss the influence of the second-sphere effect on octahedral Cr3+ ions. To evaluate the diagnostic application, we design a NIR ceramic device with a high optical power of 27.38 mW and high heat dissipation, which can decrease surface working temperature by nearly 50 °C for digital intraoral application. This study provides the research of the second-sphere coordination effect for selective octahedral sites such as Ca, Sr, and Ba coordinated by O atoms on a whitlockite-type crystal. Furthermore, the device promotes a nonionizing solution for detecting dental caries, tooth calcification, and diagnostic application.

MeSH terms

  • Calcium Phosphates
  • Chromium* / chemistry
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Infrared Rays
  • Luminescent Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Luminescent Agents / chemistry
  • Minerals / chemistry
  • Phosphates / chemistry
  • Scandium / chemistry
  • Strontium / chemistry

Substances

  • Chromium
  • Scandium
  • whitlockite
  • Strontium
  • Phosphates
  • Luminescent Agents
  • Minerals
  • Calcium Phosphates