Immobilization of Strontium Aluminate into Recycled Polycarbonate Plastics towards an Afterglow and Photochromic Smart Window

Abstract

A transparent smart window made of recycled polycarbonate plastic (PCP) waste was prepared and immobilized with strontium aluminate phosphor nanoparticles (SAPN). It has afterglow emission, super-hydrophobicity, durability, photostability, good mechanical properties, ultraviolet protection, and high optical transmittance. To create an afterglow emission polycarbonate smart window (SAPN@PCP), recycled polycarbonate waste was integrated with various concentrations of SAPN (15–52 nm). SAP micro-scale powder was made using the solid-state high temperature method. The SAP nanoparticles were produced using the top-down method. To create a colorless plastic bulk, recycled polycarbonate waste was inserted into a hot bath. This colorless plastic was thoroughly combined with SAPN and cast to create an afterglow luminous smart window. To investigate its photoluminescence properties, spectrum profiles of excitation and emission were measured. According to the luminescence parameters, the phosphorescent colorless polycarbonate plates displayed a change in color to strong green under UV illumination and greenish-yellow in a dark box. The afterglow polycarbonate smart window displayed two emission peaks at 496 and 526 nm, and an absorption wavelength of 373 nm. Upon increasing the SAPN ratio, the hydrophobic activity, hardness, photostability, and UV protection were improved. Luminescent polycarbonate substrates with lower SAPN ratio demonstrated rapid and reversible fluorescence under UV light, while the higher SAPN content in the luminous polycarbonate substrates showed afterglow.

Development of Photoluminescent and Photochromic Polyester Nanocomposite Reinforced with Electrospun Glass Nanofibers

“…Figure 1 displays TEM and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) images. Neither defects nor dislocations were detected in the SAED image [ 52 ]. Using TEM, the diameter of LANPs was measured to be between 7 and 15 nm.…”

Preparation of color‐tunable electrospun cellulose acetate‐polycaprolactone nanofibrous film for information encryption

“…After exposing the sample to UV lamp for 15 min, the light is stopped using a barrier, and measurements are taken in the dark to estimate the decay time. 23 There was no variation in the recording geometry for the emission spectra.…”

“…22 Phosphorescent materials, in contrast to fluorescence materials, are able to store light for longer time periods after being excited by an irradiation source. 23 Many rare-earth activated phosphors have been presented such as SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ /Dy 3+ as green emitter, 24 CaMgSi 2 O 6 :Eu 2+ ;Dy 3+ as bluish emitter, 25 and Y 2 O 2 S:Eu 3+ ;Mg 2+ ;Ti 4+ as reddish emitter. 26 As a result of its unique physical and chemical properties, rare-earth activated strontium aluminum oxide (RSAO) (SrAl 2 O 4 : Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ ) has garnered a lot of interest as a potential new luminescent material.…”

“…Photochromism is a significant phenomenon toward the development of authentication materials 22 . Phosphorescent materials, in contrast to fluorescence materials, are able to store light for longer time periods after being excited by an irradiation source 23 . Many rare‐earth activated phosphors have been presented such as SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ /Dy 3+ as green emitter, 24 CaMgSi 2 O 6 :Eu 2+ ;Dy 3+ as bluish emitter, 25 and Y 2 O 2 S:Eu 3+ ;Mg 2+ ;Ti 4+ as reddish emitter 26 .…”

Photoluminescent polymer‐based smart window reinforced with electrospun glass nanofibres

“…Colour intensity (K/S) and CIE Laboratory coordinates (L*, a*, and b*) of EGN@PVC substrates were determined before and after being illuminated with UV light using an UltraScan PRO spectrophotometer (HunterLab; USA) [16]. The CIE is the International Commission on Illumination, representing colours in three-dimensional (3D) numerical values [1]. A Canon A710IS camera was used to take photographs of EGN@PVC under UV light.…”