Synthesis of Persistent Luminescent Nanoparticles for Rewritable Displays and Illumination Applications

Summary

A protocol is presented for the synthesis of persistent luminescent nanomaterials (PLNPs) and their potential applications in rewritable displays and artistic processing utilizing the afterglow effect under ultraviolet light (365 nm) irradiation.

Abstract

Persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs) possess the capabilities to maintain extended longevity and robust emission even after the excitation has ceased. PLNPs have been widely used across various domains, including information displays, data encryption, biological imaging, and artistic decoration with sustained and vivid luminosity, providing boundless possibilities for a variety of innovative technology and artistic projects. This protocol focuses on an experimental procedure for the hydrothermal synthesis of PLNPs. The successful synthesis of enduring luminescent nanomaterials with Mn²⁺ or Cr³⁺ serving as a luminescent center in Zn₂GeO₄: Mn (ZGO: Mn) or ZnGa₂O₄: Cr highlights the universality of this synthetic method. On the other hand, the optical properties of ZGO: Mn can be changed by adjusting the pH of precursor solutions, demonstrating the tunability of the protocol. When charged with ultraviolet (UV) at a wavelength of 365 nm for 3 min and then stopped, PLNPs exhibit the remarkable capacity to generate afterglow efficiently and consistently, which makes them ideal for making two-dimensional rewritable displays and three-dimensional transparent, luminous artworks. This protocol outlined in this paper provides a feasible method for the synthesis of persistent luminescent nanoparticles for further illumination and imaging applications, opening up novel prospects for the fields of science and art.

Introduction

Persistent luminescence (PL) is a unique optical process that can store energy from ultraviolet light, visible light, X-rays, or other excitation sources and then release it in the form of photon emission for seconds, minutes, hours, or even for days¹. The discovery of continuous luminous phenomenon originated from the Song dynasty in ancient China 1000 years ago when a painter accidentally discovered a painting that glowed in the dark. It was later found that some natural raw materials and minerals could absorb sunlight and then glow in the dark and can even be made into fascinating glowing pearls². However, the first a....

Protocol

1. Synthesis of Zn₂GeO₄: Mn PLNPs

1. Prepare 2 M/L sodium hydroxide solution by dissolving 10 mM sodium hydroxide in 5 mL of deionized water.
2. Prepare 0.4 M/L sodium germanate solution by adding 2 mM of germanium oxide into 5 mL of sodium hydroxide solution, and then stir at room temperature for about 30 min.
3. Add 4 mM of zinc chloride, 0.01 mM of manganese nitrate and 600 µL of nitric acid (65%-68%, wt) to a 100 mL small beaker conta.......

Discussion

This article introduces a synthesis method for persistent luminescent nanomaterials and polymerization for color rendering applications. The materials showed extremely stable optical properties and a visible afterglow after ceasing excitation of ultraviolet light. A persistent luminescent nanomaterial (Zn₂GeO₄: Mn) was prepared using a hydrothermal method with different pH (Figure 1A). The TEM image showed that ZGO: Mn PLNPs whose pH is 9.4 were rod-shaped with an avera.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
azobisisobutyronitrile (99%)	Macklin	A800354	Further purification required
methyl methacrylate(99%)	Sigma-Aldrich	M55909	Further purification required
deionized water	Merck	ZEQ7016T0C	Milli-Q Direct Water Purification System
alkaline aluminum oxide (100-200 mesh)	Macklin	A800033
ammonium hydroxide  (25%-28%, wt)	Macklin	A801005
beaker	Synthware	B220100
chromium(III) nitrate nonahydrate (99.95%)	Aladdin	C116448
centrifuge	ThermoFisher Scientific	75004250
column	Synthware	C184464CR
digital camera	Canon	EOS M50 Mark II
electric thermostaticdrying oven	Longyue	LDO-9036A
ethanol (99.7%)	Greagent	1158566
gallium nitrate hydrate(99.9%)	Aladdin	G109501
germanium oxide (99.99%)	Sinopharm Chemical ReagentCo., Ltd	51009860
glass rod	Sinopharm Chemical ReagentCo., Ltd	91229401
powder X-Ray Diffractometer	D2 PHASER DESKTOP XRD	BRUKER
manganese nitrate (98%)	Macklin	M828399
methanol (99.5%)	Greagent	1226426
nitric acid (65.0-68.0%, wt)	Sinopharm Chemical ReagentCo., Ltd	10014508
pH meter	Shanghai Leici Sensor Technology Co., Ltd	PHS-3C
polyethylene glycol (300, Mw)	Adamas	01050882(41713A)
sealing film	Parafilm	2025722
sodium hydroxide (GR)	Sinopharm Chemical ReagentCo., Ltd	10019764
spectrometer	Horiba	Fluorolog-3
transmission electron microscope	JEOL	JEM-1400 Plus
transmission electron microscope	JEOL	2100 Plus
triangular funnel	Synthware	F181975
ultrasound machine	centrifuge	JP-040S
zinc chloride (98%)	Greagent	01113266/G81783A