Methods and Applications of Lanthanide/Transition Metal Ion-Doped Luminescent Materials

Lanthanide/transition metal-doped luminescent materials are advanced materials with broad application potential. This type of material achieves control and optimization of luminescence performance by introducing lanthanide/transition metal ions into the host material and utilizing its unique electronic structure and optical properties. Luminescent materials are suitable for optical communication devices, biological imaging, and photodetectors. The combination of lanthanide/transition metals with various matrix materials provides a new platform for creating new chemical and physical properties in materials science and device applications. In this paper, we summarize the latest progress in the research of lanthanide/transition metal-doped luminescent materials and explain their roles in biological imaging, sensing, and optoelectronic applications. It starts with various synthesis techniques and explores how to cleverly incorporate rare earth/transition metals into various matrices, thereby endowing them with unique properties. Then, the advantages and disadvantages of each synthesis technique are discussed. Subsequently, the focus will be on functional strategies and their applications. Finally, strategies for lanthanide/transition metal ion-doped luminescent materials to address challenges are proposed, and insights from each section are summarized.