Sunlight-activated long persistent luminescent polyurethane incorporated with amino-functionalized SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ phosphor

An amino-terminated long persistent luminescent phosphor (Amino-SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ ) was prepared based on inorganic SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ phosphor, chemically modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550). Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectral, thermogravimetric and scanning electron microscopic measurements confirmed the successful synthesis of Amino-SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ . Then this amino-functionalized phosphor was introduced into polyurethane (PU) through urea linkages, and the effects of the chemical combination of Amino-SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ and PU on the morphology, structure, storage stability, and mechanical, thermal and luminescent properties of the resultant long persistent luminescent polyurethane (LPLPU) were investigated. Compared with SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ /PU composites prepared by physical blending, the LPLPU shows better mechanical properties and storage stability due to the good compatibility of Amino-SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ with PU. More residues and higher initial decomposition temperature are observed because the interaction of the amino-phosphor and PU delays the degradation. Study of the luminescent effect reveals that the LPLPU shows more than 10 h afterglow after cessation of the excitation light, and the brightness of green light in darkness is basically the same as that of LPLPU and SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ /PU. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry