Photoluminescence thermal quenching is one of the major challenges for practical lighting applications. Here, we have explored a novel strategy to dramatically enhance the luminescence at elevated temperature based on Sc2Mo3O12:Eu3+. Upon heating, an energy transfer intensified from the Sc2Mo3O12 host material to Eu3+ dopant resulting in an efficient red emission. The thermally induced contraction and distortion of the host lattice, owing to its negative thermal expansion property, is shown to be the cause for the enhanced energy transfer and consequently the intensified emission from the activator ion Eu3+. Under 277 nm excitation, the absolute emission intensity of Sc2Mo3O12:20%Eu3+ at 398K and 773K could reach 292.13% and 115.18% of its intensity measured at 298K. Moreover, its integral emission intensity at 798K could maintain 100% of its intensity measured at 398K.At this high doping level of 20% of Eu3+ in the Sc2Mo3O12 host, the nearest distance between neighbor Eu3+ ions has increased and the energy migration among Eu3+ ions is weakened. Finally, the mechanism of this thermally enhanced emission is discussed according to the negative thermal expansion of the host structure and its possible effect on the energy transfer intensity. Findings presented here provide inspiration for employing negative thermal expansion property to remedy the thermal quenching problem of phosphors existing in their lighting applications.

Sc2Mo3O12:Eu3+: A red phosphor with superior thermally enhanced emission

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