The near-infrared long-persistent phosphorescence of Cr3+-activated non-gallate phosphor

• A non-gallate persistent phosphor CZAO:Cr was prepared by the Pechini method.
• CZAO:Cr phosphor gives a NIR long persistent luminescence after the UV-irradiation.
• CZAO:Cr phosphor is potentially suitable for in vivo imaging due its NIR emission.

Long persistent phosphors in the near-infrared (NIR) region have attracted much attention due to the potential application in in vivo imaging. A novel Cr3+-activated non-gallate phosphor was prepared by the Pechini method and characterized by photoluminescence, and long-lasting phosphorescence. Ca14Zn6Al10O35:Cr3+ phosphor gives a NIR long persistent luminescence (LPL) after the short UV-irradiation. The optimal concentration of Cr3+ for the LPP in non-gallate phosphor Ca14Zn6Al10O35:Cr3+ is experimentally about 0.5% and the afterglow time can last for 1 h. Ca14Zn6Al10O35:Cr3+ is shown to be a new NIR persistent phosphor potentially suitable for in vivo imaging due to its 650–750 nm emission range.