Luminescence modulation of the Eu3+ doped Srn+1SnnO3n+1 (n=1, 2, 5, ∞) ceramics based on photochromism and its application in anti-counterfeiting technology

The structure and optical properties of Sr_n+1Sn_nO_3n+1 ceramics greatly depend on the n value. Thus, we fabricated four compositions, namely Sr_n+1Sn_nO_3n+1:Eu³⁺ (n = 1, 2, 5, ∞) ceramics, and their crystal structure, photoluminescence, photochromism and luminesce modulation properties have been investigated. It is found that excellent photochromism and luminesce modulation properties are found in Sr₂SnO₄:Eu³⁺ and Sr₃Sn₂O₇:Eu³⁺ ceramics. After 280-nm light irradiation, the Sr₂SnO₄:Eu³⁺ ceramics transform into gray purple from primal white. Meanwhile, luminescence intensity decrement ratio ΔI_dec of the colored Sr₂SnO₄:Eu³⁺ reaches a high value of 80.8% under optimized irradiation wavelength. The decreased luminescence intensity of Eu³⁺ can be completely recovered via 450-nm light irradiation. The ΔI_dec of Sr₃Sn₂O₇:Eu³⁺ ceramic reaches 53.1%, and the decreased luminesce intensity can not be covered by light irradiation, only can be covered by a high temperature stimulus at 400 °C. Finally, we successfully fabricated a flexible membrane using Sr₂SnO₄:Eu³⁺ and PDMS for anti-counterfeiting applications.