Phosphor Polymer Nanocomposite: ZnO:Tb³⁺ Embedded Polystyrene Nanocomposite Thin Films for Solid-State Lighting Applications

Abstract

Producing novel functional nanomaterials with high reproducibility is extremely desirable but very challenging. Further treatment by reliably combining or embedding nanoparticles (NPs) into a protecting medium could be a promising approach to retaining their properties and realizing practical applications. In this work, we report the preparation, characterization, and potential applications of flexible and selfstanding polymer nanocomposite films embedded with ZnO:Tb 3+ nanophosphors suitable for optical devices. The nanocomposite films were prepared from ZnO:Tb 3+ phosphor NPs synthesized by a solution combustion method and a solution of polystyrene (PS) in toluene. The structural, morphological, thermal, and optical properties of phosphor polymer nanocomposite (PS/ZnO:Tb 3+ ) films were studied. These studies showed that the ZnO:Tb 3+ phosphor NPs were uniformly distributed throughout the polymer films, providing higher stability to the thermal and photoluminescence (PL) properties of the films. The PL properties of the nanocomposite films increased with an increase in the nanophosphor concentration. The temperature-dependent PL properties of the PS/ ZnO:Tb 3+ films were also studied. This study reveals that the embedded nanophosphor NPs retain their unique luminescent properties without any significant spectral shift, indicating their potential applications in solid-state lighting.

Flexible nanophosphor films doped with Mie resonators for enhanced out-coupling of the emission

“…To that regard, rare-earth (RE)-doped materials have been intensively studied for colour conversion 6,8,9. In this context, polymer embedding of RE phosphors is a route commonly employed to build versatile and adaptable colour converting coatings for LED technology 10–12. As phosphor crystal sizes are typically in the range of the few microns, these composite films, commonly found in commercial lamps, are opaque, which implies some drawbacks.…”

A facile synthesis of novel polyaniline/graphene nanocomposite thin films for enzyme-free electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide

“…23 Therefore, efficient strategies are needed to utilize graphene in its natural form and without any chemical modification. 24…”

Design and engineering of graphene nanostructures as independent solar-driven photocatalysts for emerging applications in the field of energy and environment

“…So far, diverse semiconductor photocatalyst nanomaterials have been investigated, including TiO 2 and ZnO as the most used photocatalysts. 8–10 Most of them have wide band-gaps and are incapable of utilizing the solar spectrum in an efficient way. Considerable modifications are required to enhance the photocatalytic activities of such metal oxide semiconductors.…”