Multicolor Rare-Earth Film with Ultra-Long Afterglow for Diverse Energy-Saving Applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Solid-State Chemistry
• Luminescent Materials

Background:

• Rare-earth afterglow materials possess unique light-storage properties but face limitations in solvent compatibility, luminescent efficiency, and emission color.
• Existing materials often struggle with practical, large-scale applications due to these constraints.

Purpose of the Study:

• To overcome the limitations of traditional rare-earth afterglow materials.
• To develop a novel afterglow film with enhanced light capture and storage capabilities.
• To explore the potential applications of this advanced material in various fields.

Main Methods:

• Blending zinc sulfide (ZnS) with rare-earth phosphors, including (Sr0.75Ca0.25)S:Eu2+, SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+, and Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+, Dy3+.
• Utilizing electrospinning to fabricate a large-area (0.4 m × 3 m) afterglow film.
• Investigating the film's thermoluminescence, color tunability, and afterglow duration.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated a large-area afterglow film with tunable colors and an afterglow duration exceeding 30 hours.
• The blended material demonstrated modulated deep trap mechanisms, significantly enhancing afterglow and light capture.
• The film showed potential for fire-rescue visibility, plant growth support in greenhouses, and light storage in tunnels/garages.

Conclusions:

• The developed rare-earth afterglow film offers a scalable and cost-effective solution for sustainable illumination.
• Its enhanced properties and versatility position it for significant real-world impact across diverse sectors.
• This advancement represents a notable step forward in the field of persistent luminescence materials.