Persistent Luminescent Nanoparticle-Loaded Filaments for Identification of Fabrics in the Visible and Infrared

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Persistent luminescent materials store and slowly release energy as light.
• Integrating functional nanoparticles into polymer matrices is key for advanced material development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs) and incorporate them into polypropylene (PP) filaments.
• To investigate the optical and mechanical properties of PLNP-loaded PP filaments.
• To assess the durability and performance of these luminescent filaments under simulated wear.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of PLNPs and their incorporation into PP filaments at various loading percentages.
• Optical analysis using visible and near-infrared spectroscopy to evaluate luminescence properties.
• Mechanical testing including breaking tenacity, elongation at break, Young's modulus, and secant modulus.
• Abrasion testing to simulate fabric wear and tear.

Main Results:

• All PLNP-loaded PP filaments exhibited persistent luminescence upon UV exposure.
• Mechanical properties showed a slight increase in breaking tenacity and a decrease in secant modulus, with minimal changes in elongation at break and Young's modulus.
• The filaments retained their optical properties and persistent luminescence after abrasion testing.

Conclusions:

• PLNPs can be successfully incorporated into PP filaments, imparting persistent luminescence.
• The resulting filaments demonstrate good mechanical integrity and durability, maintaining luminescence after simulated wear.
• These findings support the potential application of PLNP-loaded filaments in textiles and other functional materials.