A liquid
metal (LM) generally has excellent electrical conductivity,
thermal conductivity, flexibility, fluidity, and reflectivity. Innovative
electronics using a LM to paint colorful fluorescent patterns may
be applied to many important fields. Herein we propose, for the first
time, the use of a LM to paint fluorescent patterns in the field of
natural science. An LM containing a main-group metal (Ga50.25Bi8.28In28.2Sn13.27) is used to
paint a uniform alloy film on a ceramic substrate. The painting is
not restricted by any curved surface, shape, or size, which therefore
gives the LM diverse adaptability. We have adopted the strategy of
“painting–annealing–dealloying” through
which LM can easily be diffused and doped into the substrate to produce
various defects. Defects, my themselves or through their interactions,
can produce different colors of emitted light. The primary fluorescence
colors, such as purple, yellow, blue, and white, have been painted
with the LM. Importantly, the brightness and color coordinates can
be adjusted by changing the LM composition or annealing temperature,
and intricate, delicate, colorful fluorescence patterns can be produced.
Due to the unique painting form, colorful fluorescence, high stability,
corrosion resistance, and low cost of the technique used for the LM,
it can be used for displays, lighting panels, flexible electronic
circuits, anticounterfeiting devices, and sensors.