Room temperature stimulated long-persistent phosphorescence of polyurethane/SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+composite material for textile-based applications

Textile-based SrAl2O4(SAO): Eu2+, Dy3+ composite material offers functional, aesthetic, and safety benefits, making it a valuable innovation with diverse applications in various industries. The susceptibility of textile-based SAO: Eu2+, Dy3+ composite material is degraded with repeated washing, which can diminish its luminescent properties over time. Our major goal was to create a cloth with durable photoluminescent qualities by incorporating waterborne polyurethane (WPU) as a protective coating that could generate light constantly without a light source. Through a systematic approach involving the synthesis of photoluminescent SAO: Eu2+, Dy3+ particles and their integration into a cloth substrate with waterborne polyurethane, a durable cloth with enhanced durability, protection, and adhesion properties are achieved. Cotton fabric and a rotary screen-printing machine were used to apply a thin, translucent layer of glow-in-the-dark pigment to produce the photoluminescence characteristics of the developed cloth revealing efficient light absorption and emission behavior, with emission spectra centered around absorption wavelength between 560 nm and 880 nm, with a 500 nm emission peak, exhibiting of the presence of Eu2+ and Dy3+ activator ions. In addition, to assess the comfort of the treated cotton fabric, a fabroOmeter test was conducted, that provided insights into its overall comfort level. Furthermore, the cloth demonstrates excellent stability and longevity of photoluminescence under various environmental conditions, making it suitable for applications requiring high visibility, safety signage, decorative elements, and apparel wear. This research underscores the potential of polyurethane-enhanced photoluminescent textiles as versatile and sustainable solutions for diverse practical applications.