Journal Article

Smart mechanoluminescent phosphors: A review of zinc sulfide‐based materials for advanced mechano‐optical applications

Li, Xu, Chen, Bing, Zhang, Xianhui, Peng, Dengfeng, Wu, Mingzhi, Gan, Jiulin, Zheng, Yuantian, Fang, Ziyi, Liang, Tianlong, Huang, Zefeng, Ren, Biyun, Zulfiqar, Maryam, Zhang, Qi'an, Jing, Liqing, Qu, Sicen

2024

Overview

The quest for mechanoluminescence (ML) in zinc sulfide (ZnS) spans more than a century, initially sparked by observations of natural minerals. There has been a resurgence in research into ML materials in recent decades, driven by advances in optoelectronic technologies and a deeper understanding of their luminescent properties under mechanical stress. ZnS, in particular, has garnered attention owing to its remarkable ability to sustain luminescence after more than 100,000 mechanical stimulations, positioning it as a standout candidate for optoelectronic applications. In contrast to conventional photoluminescent and electroluminescent light sources, ZnS composite elastomers have emerged as flexible, stretchable self‐powered light sources with considerable practical implications. This review introduces the development history, ML mechanisms, prototype ML devices, ZnS‐based ML material preparation methods, and their diverse applications spanning environmental mechanical‐to‐optical energy conversion, E‐signatures, anti‐counterfeiting, wearable information sensing devices, advanced battery‐free displays, biomedical imaging, and optical fiber sensors for human–computer interactions, among others. By integrating insights from ML‐optics, mechanics, and flexible optoelectronics, and by summarizing pertinent perspectives on current scientific challenges, application technology hurdles, and potential solutions for emerging scientific frontiers, this review aims to furnish fundamental guidance and conceptual frameworks for the design, advancement, and cutting‐edge application of novel mechanoluminescent materials. Zinc sulfide is a smart luminescent material with exceptionally outstanding mechanoluminescence properties. After over a century of research, it is now widely used in wearable devices, auxiliary lighting, stress sensing, anti‐counterfeiting, and other fields. This article comprehensively summarizes the properties, characteristics, mechanisms, preparation techniques, and application scenarios of zinc sulfide based on its features in mechanoluminescence. Constructively, it proposes future directions for optimization and methods for technological integration of zinc sulfide. Besides, the presentation of the challenges in mechanisms and applications also provide a unique perspective for subsequent research and assist researchers in quickly grasping the key focuses in this field.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,Wiley
• Subject: Composite materials / Crystal structure / flexible optoelectronics / Fluorides / mechanoluminescence / Particle size / Phase transitions / self‐powered light source / Sensors / stress sensing / Temperature / zinc sulfide