A Review of Luminescent Materials Preparation and Their Applications

Sawaira Bukhari*, Maymoona Mahboob

Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan

Institute of Climate Adaptation and Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia

Submitted: 17-08-2025; Accepted: 26-12-2025; Published: 31-12-2025

 

 

Abstract

Many modern technologies based on luminescent materials play important roles in visualization devices, lighting systems, X-ray imaging, and scintillation applications. This review condenses the latest developments in near-infrared (NIR) emission produced by rare-earth and transition-metal activation and describes the applications of these emissions in fields of optoelectronics, bioimaging, and sensing. Researchers have been looking for new and better luminescent systems as these applications grow. Defect-based luminescent materials have gained a lot of attention in the past ten years. These materials typically fall into a number of categories, such as carbon-based emitters, BCNO phosphor, metal oxides, and hosts derived from silica. One of the main benefits of defect-related phosphors is that they can be produced in large quantities and at a low-cost using methods like chemical vapor deposition, hydrothermal synthesis, sol-gel processing, and sonochemical approaches. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advancements in their preparation techniques, emission behavior, and optical property tuning and control strategies. Lastly, we discuss potential future paths and new prospects for applying these materials to biomedical and lighting technologies.

 

Keywords: Luminescent materials, rare earth and transition metal ions, synthesis, bioimaging, near-infrared luminescence

 

 

Full length article    *Corresponding Author, e-mail: sawairabukhari19@gmail.com, doi# 10.71111/Science today/5-25-3-3-st-5