Double-Network Luminescent Films Constructed Using Sulfur Quantum Dots and Lanthanide Complexes.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optoelectronics
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Developing UV light-switchable luminescent films for soft optical devices and anticounterfeiting labels faces challenges.
• Existing films often struggle to integrate superior luminescence, high self-healing, and excellent mechanical strength simultaneously.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and construct novel double-network (DN) luminescent films with enhanced properties.
• To achieve UV light-switchable luminescence, improved mechanical strength, and high self-healing efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of DN luminescent films using a hydrogen bond crosslinking strategy with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG).
• Incorporation of sulfur quantum dots (S-QDs) and lanthanide(III) complexes (LnCs) as dual luminescence centers.
• Tuning emission colors by altering ultraviolet excitation wavelengths (254 nm and 365 nm).

Main Results:

• The DN films exhibit extraordinary UV light-switchable luminescence, shifting from multicolor (red-yellow-green) to blue emission.
• The crosslinking network effectively prevents aggregation and leakage of S-QDs and LnCs, ensuring homogeneous distribution.
• The fabricated films demonstrate improved mechanical properties and excellent self-healing ability.

Conclusions:

• The developed DN luminescent films offer a viable method for creating multifunctional materials.
• These films show significant potential for applications in flexible robotics, wearable devices, and dual-luminescent anticounterfeiting materials.