Highly stable lead-free CsMnBr₃:Eu³⁺ quantum dot-doped photonic glasses for lighting and display applications

Lead halide perovskites have received widespread attention in the field of optoelectronics due to their high photoluminescent efficiency, tunable bandgap, and excellent color purity. However, the inherent toxicity and instability of lead significantly limit its practical applications. In an effort to resolve these concerns, we have developed a lead-free alternative by embedding Eu³⁺-doped CsMnBr₃ quantum dots (QDs) into a borosilicate glass matrix. The resulting materials exhibit intense red luminescence under ultraviolet excitation, and Eu³⁺ doping enhances the photoluminescence quantum yield by a factor of 3.37 through effective excitation energy migration from Mn²⁺ to Eu³⁺ ions. Benefiting from glass encapsulation, the composites show remarkable thermal stability and water resistance, retaining their optical properties for more than 450 d. Furthermore, prototype light-emitting diodes fabricated with the doped glass powders demonstrate strong red emission and comparable red-light penetration to commercial phosphor-based devices. These findings highlight the excellent operational stability and practical potential of Eu³⁺-doped CsMnBr₃ glass QDs for applications in anticounterfeiting, solid-state lighting, and other optoelectronic technologies.