Solvent-free processing of lignin into robust room temperature phosphorescent materials
Abstract Producing room temperature phosphorescent (RTP) materials from biomass resources using a solvent free method is essential but hard to achieve. Here, we discovered that lignin dissolved well in the liquid monomer, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), due to extensive hydrogen bonding and non-bondi...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57712-x |
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| author | Min Wang Wei-Ming Yin Yingxiang Zhai Jingyi Zhou Shouxin Liu Jian Li Shujun Li Tony D. James Zhijun Chen |
| author_facet | Min Wang Wei-Ming Yin Yingxiang Zhai Jingyi Zhou Shouxin Liu Jian Li Shujun Li Tony D. James Zhijun Chen |
| author_sort | Min Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Producing room temperature phosphorescent (RTP) materials from biomass resources using a solvent free method is essential but hard to achieve. Here, we discovered that lignin dissolved well in the liquid monomer, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), due to extensive hydrogen bonding and non-bonding interactions between lignin and HEA. Motivated by this discovery, we developed a solvent free system consisting of HEA and urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) for converting lignin into RTP materials. With this design, lignin generated radicals upon UV irradiation, which initiated the polymerization of HEA (as monomer) and UDMA (as crosslinker). The as-obtained polymer network rigidifies lignin and activates the humidity/water-resistant RTP of lignin with a lifetime of 202.9 ms. Moreover, the afterglow color was successfully tuned to red after loading with RhB via energy transfer (TS-FRET). Using these properties, the as-developed material was used as photocured multiple-emission RTP inks, luminescent coatings and a smart anti-counterfeiting logo for a medicine bottle. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-af57d0af9dea437e883da86dc4dc5374 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-af57d0af9dea437e883da86dc4dc53742025-08-20T02:56:20ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-03-011611710.1038/s41467-025-57712-xSolvent-free processing of lignin into robust room temperature phosphorescent materialsMin Wang0Wei-Ming Yin1Yingxiang Zhai2Jingyi Zhou3Shouxin Liu4Jian Li5Shujun Li6Tony D. James7Zhijun Chen8Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology, Northeast Forestry University, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology, Northeast Forestry University, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology, Northeast Forestry University, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology, Northeast Forestry University, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology, Northeast Forestry University, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology, Northeast Forestry University, Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology, Northeast Forestry University, Ministry of EducationDepartment of Chemistry, University of BathKey Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology, Northeast Forestry University, Ministry of EducationAbstract Producing room temperature phosphorescent (RTP) materials from biomass resources using a solvent free method is essential but hard to achieve. Here, we discovered that lignin dissolved well in the liquid monomer, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), due to extensive hydrogen bonding and non-bonding interactions between lignin and HEA. Motivated by this discovery, we developed a solvent free system consisting of HEA and urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) for converting lignin into RTP materials. With this design, lignin generated radicals upon UV irradiation, which initiated the polymerization of HEA (as monomer) and UDMA (as crosslinker). The as-obtained polymer network rigidifies lignin and activates the humidity/water-resistant RTP of lignin with a lifetime of 202.9 ms. Moreover, the afterglow color was successfully tuned to red after loading with RhB via energy transfer (TS-FRET). Using these properties, the as-developed material was used as photocured multiple-emission RTP inks, luminescent coatings and a smart anti-counterfeiting logo for a medicine bottle.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57712-x |
| spellingShingle | Min Wang Wei-Ming Yin Yingxiang Zhai Jingyi Zhou Shouxin Liu Jian Li Shujun Li Tony D. James Zhijun Chen Solvent-free processing of lignin into robust room temperature phosphorescent materials Nature Communications |
| title | Solvent-free processing of lignin into robust room temperature phosphorescent materials |
| title_full | Solvent-free processing of lignin into robust room temperature phosphorescent materials |
| title_fullStr | Solvent-free processing of lignin into robust room temperature phosphorescent materials |
| title_full_unstemmed | Solvent-free processing of lignin into robust room temperature phosphorescent materials |
| title_short | Solvent-free processing of lignin into robust room temperature phosphorescent materials |
| title_sort | solvent free processing of lignin into robust room temperature phosphorescent materials |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57712-x |
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