Scientists have created a new material for displays that glows in the dark and bends

Plastic creates many environmental problems, and luminescent polymers used in gadget screens make up a separate group among these substances. It seems that scientists have made progress toward solving this issue.

The Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) has introduced biodegradable luminescent polymers, which are called the future of electronics, writes Interesting Engineering. Polymers of this type are flexible materials with built-in light emission. They are used everywhere from car displays to smartphone screens.

A team of researchers led by Jie Xu from ANL has developed a new solution in the field of luminescent polymers. The material they created is not only highly efficient in emitting light. It can be recycled and reused quite easily.

"We were able to make this material biodegradable and recyclable without sacrificing functionality. This work is an important benchmark in addressing the urgent need for sustainability in the development of future electronics," Xu said.

The secret of the polymer lies in the addition of a chemical called tert-butyl ether. This compound allows the polymer to decompose quickly when exposed to heat or a weak acid. It also helps to achieve high light-emitting properties during operation.

The new material also has a higher light output than other degradable polymers. The researchers evaluated this property using external quantum efficiency, a standard performance measure. The luminescence efficiency of their development was 15.1%. This figure is ten times higher than similar polymers.

The newly created material can be used in various fields. First of all, in the same screens, as well as in medical imaging devices. However, the developers expect their creation to open up new opportunities. In addition to effective luminescence, the polymer also has excellent flexibility and stretchability, which opens up huge potential for creating various types of next-generation gadgets. The lab is now preparing to transfer its development to businesses.

In terms of recycling, traditional polymers used to create screens can be recycled to a very limited extent. They can only be landfilled, and this is harmful to the environment.

According to Jie Xu, her team has ambitions to eliminate this type of e-waste. The new polymer can be decomposed in a mildly acidic environment or with moderate heat. The components can then be extracted and transformed into new materials. This brings electronics manufacturing closer to a closed loop.

The results of the work of ANL scientists were published in the journal Nature Sustainability. In addition to ANL of the US Department of Energy (DOE), researchers from the University of Chicago, Purdue University, and Yale University participated in the development.

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