Structural materials with afterglow room temperature phosphorescence activated by lignin oxidation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Sustainable Chemistry
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Developing sustainable afterglow room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) structural materials is challenging.
• Lignin, a natural polymer in wood, is an abundant and renewable resource.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel oxidation strategy for converting lignin into afterglow RTP materials.
• To create sustainable RTP wood for applications like furniture.

Main Methods:

• Lignin was oxidized using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to generate aromatic chromophores and fatty acids.
• A fatty acid-based matrix was formed via hydrogen bonds to stabilize chromophores, enhancing spin-orbit coupling.
• An automated fabrication line was established for in situ oxidation of lignin in wood cell walls.

Main Results:

• The oxidation strategy yielded afterglow materials from lignin with a phosphorescence lifetime of approximately 408 ms.
• Oxidized lignin (OL) was successfully integrated into wood, creating RTP wood.
• The RTP wood demonstrated potential for sustainable afterglow furniture construction.

Conclusions:

• A new, sustainable strategy for producing afterglow RTP materials from lignin has been established.
• The developed RTP wood offers a promising route for sustainable structural materials and furniture.
• This research enhances the sustainability of both afterglow RTP materials and structural materials.