Room-temperature phosphorescent transparent wood

In the quest for sustainable development, scientists are continuously inspired by nature to create innovative technologies. One such breakthrough is featured in a recent paper published in Nature Communications, which introduces the topic of "Room-temperature phosphorescent transparent wood."
Published in Social Sciences, Chemistry, and Materials
Room-temperature phosphorescent transparent wood
Like

Share this post

Choose a social network to share with, or copy the URL to share elsewhere

This is a representation of how your post may appear on social media. The actual post will vary between social networks

This material not only retains the natural beauty and structural integrity of wood but also exhibits an extraordinary optical property—it can glow phosphorescence at room temperature. Developed by us in Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, this novel material promises significant advancements in architecture, energy, and environmental science.

A Superior Alternative to Traditional Glass

Glass has long been used for its transparency, yet its production is energy-intensive, and it is prone to breaking. In contrast, transparent wood offers a compelling alternative. By removing lignin—a component that gives wood its color—and infusing it with polymers, researchers have crafted a material that is both highly transparent and maintains the original wood texture. This new material is lighter and stronger than conventional glass while effectively blocking harmful ultraviolet and infrared rays, reducing heat loss within buildings.

The Magic of Room-temperature Phosphorescence

The most exciting aspect of this research is the introduction of room-temperature phosphorescence into transparent wood, giving it afterglow. Room-temperature phosphorescence refers to the phenomenon where certain materials continue to emit light for seconds or even minutes and hours after being exposed to light. Typically, achieving this effect requires low temperatures or specialized conditions; however, the scientists ingeniously utilized interactions between luminescent difluoroboron β-diketonate (BF2bdk) compounds and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) to ensure these materials could glow for extended periods at ambient temperatures.

It is known that PMMA matrix allows oxygen permeation, especially in the film state. Under ambient conditions, the organic afterglow properties of PMMA-based materials typically cannot be activated by short-term and low-power excitation because oxygen in the PMMA matrix can quench the triplet excited states of the luminescent dopants. After sufficient irradiation, oxygen in the PMMA matrix can be removed and activated, exhibiting obvious room-temperature phosphorescence. Interestingly, when PMMA is combined with wood, RTP of BF2bdk-PMMA/wood materials can be generated under short-term excitation, compensating for the shortcomings of pure PMMA as a matrix. Cellulose and hemicellulose in the wood, which are rich in hydroxyl groups, can form multiple short and strong hydrogen bonds to serve as oxygen barriers; cellulose fibrils have long been known as an excellent oxygen barrier because of hydrogen bonding and relatively high crystallinity. Therefore, the combination of wood and PMMA is the optimal matrix for room-temperature phosphorescence.

Environmental Benefits and Energy Savings

Beyond aesthetic appeal, long afterglow transparent wood brings substantial environmental benefits. Its superior thermal insulation reduces the load on air conditioning systems, leading to considerable energy savings. Moreover, since no additional lighting fixtures are required, nighttime electricity consumption can be further reduced. For remote areas or regions lacking stable power supplies, this solution is particularly ideal.

Furthermore, this technology reflects a more responsible approach to natural resources. By utilizing renewable biomass materials like discarded trees or bamboo, we can significantly decrease reliance on fossil fuels and promote a circular economy. Our aim is to develop products that meet modern societal needs while protecting our planet.

Please sign in or register for FREE

If you are a registered user on Research Communities by Springer Nature, please sign in

Follow the Topic

Wood Science and Technology
Humanities and Social Sciences > Society > Anthropology > Environmental Anthropology > Forestry > Wood Science and Technology
Luminescence Spectroscopy
Physical Sciences > Chemistry > Analytical Chemistry > Spectroscopy > Luminescence Spectroscopy
Polymers
Physical Sciences > Chemistry > Materials Chemistry > Polymers
Organic Molecules in Materials Science
Physical Sciences > Materials Science > Soft Materials > Organic Molecules in Materials Science
Glass
Physical Sciences > Materials Science > Structural Materials > Glass

Related Collections

With collections, you can get published faster and increase your visibility.

Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Cancer

In this cross-journal collection between Nature Communications, npj Digital Medicine, npj Precision Oncology, Communications Medicine, Communications Biology, and Scientific Reports, we invite submissions with a focus on artificial intelligence in cancer.

Publishing Model: Open Access

Deadline: Mar 31, 2025

Biology of rare genetic disorders

This cross-journal Collection between Nature Communications, Communications Biology, npj Genomic Medicine and Scientific Reports brings together research articles that provide new insights into the biology of rare genetic disorders, also known as Mendelian or monogenic disorders.

Publishing Model: Open Access

Deadline: Apr 30, 2025