Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University have found a way to obtain luminescent materials from common natural minerals – marble, chalk, and limestone. The new technology allows for the creation of bright red samples without the use of expensive reagents and could be applied in road markings, emergency lighting, and safety signs in the future.
The researchers proposed a simpler and more environmentally friendly method for synthesizing luminescent materials based on common minerals. Unlike traditional technologies that use expensive rare-earth elements, the new approach allows for the production of luminescent materials from readily available natural raw materials.
All created samples emit red light with a peak around 654 nanometers – a range well perceived by the human eye. The brightness depends on the composition of the initial mineral: iron impurities reduce the intensity of the glow, while magnesium, on the contrary, helps to enhance it.
Scientists consider marble to be the most promising material. Thanks to its homogeneous structure and the presence of magnesium in its composition, it provides the brightest luminescence among the options studied.
In the future, the development is planned to be used for creating light-active indicators, emergency lights, and safety signs, where durability, resistance to external influences, and low cost are important. The research results are published in the journal Ceramics International.