A novel NIR long phosphorescent phosphor:SrSnO3:Bi2+

A novel phosphor with near-infrared (NIR) long persistent luminescence, SrSnO3:Bi2+ was successfully synthesized by traditional solid-state reaction. The phosphor shows deep red-NIR persistent luminescence with a broad emission band from 700 to 900 nm peaking at 808 nm, as well as a persistence time of >30 min. This phosphor has broken the domination of conventional Cr3+, Mn2+ and Mn4+-activated long persistent phosphors and provides a new perspective on the NIR phosphorescence of Bi-doped long phosphorescent phosphors. Meanwhile, the characteristic operational waveband offer the possibility of potentially being applied in vivo bio-imaging of this new NIR phosphorescent material.