Preparation of flame‐retardant, hydrophobic, ultraviolet protective, and luminescent transparent wood

Abstract

Transparent wood with multifunctional properties has recently attracted more attention as an efficient building product. Here, we describe the development of transparent wood with long‐persistent phosphorescence, tough surface, high durability, photostability, and reversibility without fatigue, and with ultraviolet shielding, superhydrophobicity, and flame‐retardant activity. This long‐persistent phosphorescent, or glow‐in‐the‐dark, smart wood exhibited an ability to continue emitting light for prolonged periods of time. The photoluminescent translucent wooden substrate was prepared by immobilizing lignin‐modulated wooden bulk with an admixture of methylmethacrylate (MMA), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), and lanthanide‐doped strontium aluminate (LSA; SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+) phosphor nanoparticles. The photoluminescent transparent wood displayed a colour switch from colourless to bright white beneath ultraviolet (UV) light and greenish‐yellow in the dark as reported by Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage laboratory colorimetric space coordinates. The generated phosphorescent wooden substrates demonstrated an absorbance band at 365 nm and an emission band at 516 nm. The phosphorescent transparent wood was improved flame‐retardant properties, ultraviolet shielding, and superhydrophobic properties, as well as a reversible long‐persistent phosphorescent responsiveness to UV light without fatigue. The current approach demonstrated a potential large‐scale production strategy for multifunctional transparent wooden substrates for a range of applications such as smart windows, gentle indoor and outdoor lighting, and safety directional signs in buildings.

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

“…Thus, the hardness of a composite is an important measure to evaluate its performance. [ 45,46 ] In order to attain the maximum degree of transparency while maintaining a smooth surface, PET was used. The hardness properties indicate an improved hardness with increasing the LdAN ratio.…”

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

“…Because of the high total amounts of LdSAO nanoparticles, the spacing between the LdSAO nanoparticles was greatly reduced, which resulted in a steady or reduced surface roughness. [ 36 ] Slide angle readings were used to assess the hydrophobicity of the PE sheets. Sliding angles improved as the overall content of LdSAO was increased in the PE nanocomposite sheets.…”

“…[ 35 ] Commercially available inorganic nanoparticles, such as graphite, nanoclay, and carbon nanotubes, can be used as fillers in various materials and for numerous fields such as optics, cosmetics, aerospace, food packaging, textiles, agriculture, medicine, and as catalysts. [ 35–37 ] Polyethylene (PE) is the most common plastic polymer in use today. It has been used to prepare various products such as packaging films, bottles, wire and cable insulation, and housewares.…”

Cellulose and Its Nano-Derivatives as a Water-Repellent and Fire-Resistant Surface: A Review

“…Sohbatzadeh et al [ 95 ] introduced multifunctional, eco-friendly, and affordable coatings for firewood and achieved a water contact angle of more than 137.73° using polydimethylsiloxane and hexamethyldisiloxane. Moreover, some authors have mentioned the mixture of ammonium polyphosphate/methylmethacrylate/phosphorus nanoparticles/strontium doped with lanthanide and composite containing phosphonitrile functionalized by allyl, trimethylolpropane tris, and perfluoro-decyl trichlorosilane as multifunctional agents that can be applied as wood surface coatings [ 96 , 97 , 98 ].…”