A general strategy for self-healing elastomers with ultralong room-temperature phosphorescence

Abstract

Integration of room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) into elastic matrices with persistent segment motions to build RTP elastomers is a trend for future flexible sensors and stretchable optics, which remains a critical challenge. Here, we present a general approach to creating self-healing phosphorescent elastomers (HPEs) via dynamic B–O bonds, which ensure that various commercial phosphors achieve ultralong RTP in silicone rubber systems. The resulting HPEs exhibit remarkable RTP lifetimes (up to 2.679 s) under ambient conditions, surpassing all previously reported RTP elastomers. Notably, this general method affords HPE films with uniform RTP performance across areas ranging from 1 × 1 cm² to 45 × 50 cm², and even larger sizes. With the assistance of self-healing properties, HPEs can be easily structurally transformed from 2D to 3D models (e.g., plate film to Möbius ring). The HPEs have potential applications in multi-patterned displays and time-dependent encryption, and this work provides a general and scalable solution for the production of long-lived RTP elastomers.