Hydrolytic-Resistance Long-Persistent Luminescence SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ Ceramics for Optical Information Storage

SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ (SAED) is one of the most popular materials for information storage and night display applications because it has a wide excitation range and long afterglow duration. However improving the hydrolytic resistance of SAED remains a challenge. In this study, the SAED is presented to be the ceramic type by a solid-state reaction in a vacuum ambiance. The achieved SAED ceramic has 8200 mcd m⁻² initial luminescence intensity. It can also obtain long-persistent luminescence after UV light irradiation even soaking in water for more than 30 days. This ceramic demonstrates sustained imaging capability irradiated under 365 nm UV light and X-ray, as well as erasability and reproducibility of storage by lighting and heating. These results indicate the promising applications of SAED ceramics in optical information storage and night display in complex environments. The phase evolution in the SAED ceramic is identified directly in the micromorphology for the first time based on scanning electron microscopy coupled with a cathodoluminescence system.