From Local Structure to Macroscopic Properties: Mechanism-Oriented Design of Rare Earth-Doped Functional Materials

This review elucidates the physicochemical basis underlying the multifunctional regulation enabled by RE elements from the perspective of their intrinsic properties, including electronic configuration, energy level structure, variable valence behavior, and coordination chemistry. Building upon these foundations, the review elaborates on four core regulation mechanisms — electronic structure modulation, lattice environment engineering, dimensional effects, and multi-field coupling — and their impacts on the optical, electrical, thermal, magnetic, as well as corrosion and moisture resistance properties of functional materials. Subsequently, the diverse applications of RE-doped materials are reviewed across photonic functional materials, energy conversion and storage, catalysis and environmental remediation, and extreme-environment protection. Finally, future research directions for RE-doped functional materials are outlined. This review aims to provide theoretical guidance and strategic references for the rational design of high-performance functional materials enabled by RE elements.