Researchers Develop New Type of Persistent Luminescence Nanomaterial

A team of researchers from Western University, Canada, has developed a new type of persistent luminescence nanomaterial, using the Canadian Light Source synchrotron (a type of circular particle accelerator).

Source: Canadian Light Source.

The new materials are inorganic phosphor nanoparticles that remain visible to the human eye for several minutes after UV light is removed.

While micrometre-sized persistent luminescent materials are already available, this nanosized version blends more easily with solvents and can be used to print highly detailed patterns, while the particles glow for a longer time, and more brightly than existing materials. They also give off a shade of red light, which is difficult to replicate.

Using these materials, the researchers were able to ‘programme’ identification marks to disappear in stages, with some elements vanishing almost immediately, while others faded away over several minutes. This tuneability was achieved by tinkering with the additives (dopants) included in the magnesium germanium oxide base material.