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Title: Unlocking the Potential of Ni²⁺ and Ni²⁺-Cr³⁺ Synergy for Bifunctional Pressure and Temperature Optical Sensing

Authors: M. Szymczak*, L. Marciniak*

Journal: Materials Horizons

DOI: 10.1039/D6MH01014H

Simultaneous and independent measurement of pressure and temperature remains an important challenge in the development of luminescent optical sensors due to the mutual influence of both parameters on the spectroscopic properties of the sensing material.

In the published work, a bifunctional sensor based on ZnGa₂O₄:Ni²⁺,Cr³⁺ was proposed, enabling independent readout of pressure and temperature using different luminescence parameters. For pressure detection, a strategy based on time-resolved analysis of the emission of two different ions was applied for the first time in luminescence manometry. This approach enabled a relative pressure sensitivity as high as 148.33% GPa^-1, while maintaining minimal temperature interference with the manometric signal.

Temperature sensing, in turn, is based on the luminescence properties of Ni²⁺ ions and also exhibits only minor interference from pressure. An additional advantage of the system is its near-infrared emission, which increases its potential applicability, for example, in composites and coatings.

The study also demonstrates for the first time the potential of Ni²⁺ luminescence and Ni²⁺-Cr³⁺ synergy for highly sensitive luminescence manometry, introducing a new strategy for the design of multifunctional pressure and temperature sensors.

This research was funded by the National Science Centre, Poland, under the PRELUDIUM project no. 2023/49/N/ST5/01020.