Electro-Thermochromic Luminescent Fibers Controlled by Self-Crystallinity Phase Change for Advanced Smart Textiles

Abstract

Smart textiles with tunable luminescence have received special attention due to their great potential in various advanced photonic applications. Particularly, the development of one-dimensional, on-demand, responsive fluorescence fibers with excellent adaptability is of great significance. Herein, we propose electro-thermochromic fluorescence fibers regulated by a self-crystallinity phase change; that is, their tunable luminescence properties are derived from the reversible conversion of the dispersion state and fluorescence emission of fluorophore molecules during the crystallization/melting processes of phase-change materials. First results obtained with an alginate wet-spinning system demonstrate that the self-crystallinity phase change can produce polymeric fibers with thermochromic fluorescence behavior, which are prepared using microemulsion particles containing a phase-change fatty acid and coumarin fluorescent dyes. These thermochromic fluorescence fibers possess a fast response speed, high emission contrast, and good reversibility (>100 cycles). Particularly, the thermochromic fluorescent fibers can gain an electrotriggered capability by means of electric heating materials, and their great potential in precision operation applications is demonstrated. It is easy to adjust the switching point of the electro-thermochromic fluorescence fibers, highlighting their potential use in a diverse range of applications, the designs of which can be personalized. This work offers a simple yet versatile strategy for constructing electro-thermochromic fluorescence fibers for advanced smart textiles.

Exploring Next‐Generation Functional Organic Phase Change Composites

“…[75] The synergy arising from the use of CNTs and Fe 3 O 4 resulted in an improved EMI shielding effectiveness (Figure 3l). In addition to the aforementioned impressive functionalities, PCMs can be employed as superhydrophobic TES coatings [77] or crucial components for tunable luminescent materials [78] and highly efficient infrared stealth counterparts. [79,80] The integration of PCMs with thermal insulation materials is feasible for thermal camouflage and stealth technology.…”

Reversible Thermochromic Nanofiber Membrane for Energy Storage and Thermoregulation

“…12−16 The research related to nanofibrous membranes with new thermochromic functions is identified as a prospering topic. 17−21 Reversible thermochromic fibers are widely used in many fields such as smart textiles, 18,22,23 thermally responsive sensors, 7,24 and color indicators. 25−27 Recently, reversible thermochromic phase change material (RTPCM) systems based on a luminescent dye or leuco dye have been selected as core 28−31 solutions to prepare temperature-sensitive thermochromic fibers.…”

“…Phase change materials (PCMs) are special energy materials that can absorb and release a large amount of heat during the process of physical state change. − The research related to nanofibrous membranes with new thermochromic functions is identified as a prospering topic. − Reversible thermochromic fibers are widely used in many fields such as smart textiles, ,, thermally responsive sensors, , and color indicators. − Recently, reversible thermochromic phase change material (RTPCM) systems based on a luminescent dye or leuco dye have been selected as core − solutions to prepare temperature-sensitive thermochromic fibers. The reversible thermochromic phase change material system mainly consists of three elements: electron donor (GN-2), electron acceptor (bisphenol AF, BPAF), and organic solvent ( n -butyl stearate).…”

Ink-Deposited Transparent Electrochromic Structural Colored Foils

“…In contrast to uniform color tuning when using a continuous film heater, patterned colors appear when locally heating a thermochromic system using patterned electrodes. − Despite the promising studies on electrothermally driven photonic devices, a major challenge in this field is the development of simultaneously flexible and transparent photonic systems with multicolor tuning, vitally important for effective display and window applications. Most reports on electrochromic devices make use of temperature-responsive pigments, which can only be switched between colored and discolored states when applying an electrothermal stimulus and are limited to nontransparent devices due to their low optical quality. ,− Recent progress has led to the realization of electrothermally driven structural color-tunable systems, but these are limited to either rigid transparent ,− or flexible nontransparent − devices due to the poor mechanical or optical properties of at least one layer in the final material. Additionally, scaling up to large-area applications remains rather difficult since scalable processes to develop such multilayered photonic foils have been rarely reported. ,, To establish an electrothermally driven structural colored system featuring both high transparency and flexibility, a flexible, transparent heater must be integrated.…”