Development of Photoluminescent Translucent Wood toward Photochromic Smart Window Applications

Abstract

Photochromic transparent wooden materials are highly critical and attractive for smart windows, which have been scarcely investigated. In this context, we develop photochromic and fluorescent translucent wood with a color switching ability in the UV and visible spectrum regions, which is associated with color shifting properties. The fluorescent and photochromic translucent wood were generated by permeating a lignin-modified wooden substrate using a formulation containing methyl methacrylate (MMA) and a photoluminescent lanthanide-doped aluminum strontium oxide (SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+; ASOED) pigment characterized by good photo- and thermal stability. For a better preparation of photoluminescent transparent wood, the ASOED phosphor must be efficiently dispersed without aggregation in pre-polymerized MMA. This translucent wooden substrate demonstrated a color change from colorless in visible light to green under irradiation with UV as designated by CIE Lab colorimetric results. The morphological characteristics of the generated pigment nanoparticles (NPs) were studied using transmission electron microscopic micrographs. Scanning electron microscopy, elemental mapping, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis, wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and hardness properties, in addition to UV–vis absorption and emission spectroscopy of the photochromic translucent wood samples, were used. The prepared photoluminescence transparent wood showed an absorption signal at 365 nm and two emission signals at 433 and 517 nm. The findings demonstrated that the generated transparent luminescent wood exhibited improved UV protection and superhydrophobic activity. The produced transparent luminescent wood showed fast and reversible photochromic responses to UV light without fatigue.

Preparation of transparent photoluminescence smart window by integration of rare‐earth aluminate nanoparticles into recycled polyethylene waste

“…The hardness of a material has an effect on its ability to determine the deformation level that affects a material’s durability. [ 49 ] Because of this, it is critical to assess the material performance by looking at the composite hardness. Polyethylene was utilized as a bulk material as it is a transparent material with a smooth surface.…”

“…The prepared PE sheets were tested for scratch resistance and hardness [48,49] using an HB pencil and Otto Wolpert-Werke Shore D hardness tester (Germany), respectively.…”

Immobilization of lanthanide doped aluminate phosphor onto recycled polyester toward the development of long‐persistent photoluminescence smart window

“…The solid‐state high temperature technique was used to prepare the rare‐earth doped aluminate (LdAN; SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ ). [ 30,31 ] A solution of boric acid (0.2 mol; Merck, Darmstadt, Germany), strontium carbonate (1 mol; Merck), aluminum oxide (2 mol; Merck), europium oxide (Eu 2 O 3 ; 0.02 mol; Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA) and dysprosium oxide (Dy 2 O 3 ; 0.01 mol; Aldrich) was dispersed in absolute ethanol (250 ml), homogenized (35 kHz; 1 h), dried for 20 h at 100°C, and subjected to grinding for 3 h. Under a reduction carbon atmosphere, the given product was subjected to sintering for 3 h at 1300°C. The given powder was subjected to milling and sieving to give LdA micro‐sized particles.…”

“…The solid-state high temperature technique was used to prepare the rare-earth doped aluminate (LdAN; SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ ). [30,31] A solution of boric acid (0. was dispersed in absolute ethanol (250 ml), homogenized (35 kHz; 1 h), dried for 20 h at 100 C, and subjected to grinding for 3 h. Under a reduction carbon atmosphere, the given product was subjected to sintering for 3 h at 1300 C. The given powder was subjected to milling and sieving to give LdA micro-sized particles. Utilizing ES80 Triple Roll Mill, the top-down technique [32] was then applied on the produced LdA microparticles to afford the corresponding LdAN.…”

Reversible Photo-, Thermal-, and pH-Responsive Functionalized Wood with Fluorescence Emission

“…However, the existing preparation methods of functional wood are all realized by adding functional materials to the interior or surface of wood. The added functional materials have poor miscibility with wood, and may deteriorate the original properties of wood itself, such as mechanical and processing properties [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. At the same time, most added functional materials are expensive and have certain toxicity, which will greatly increase the cost and may pollute to environment and cause harm to the human body [ 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”