Abstract
Since its first discovery by Destriau in oil dispersion of ZnS:Cu phosphors, alternating current electroluminescence (ACEL) has found enormous applications in lighting, full-color displays, and optoelectronics. ACEL materials are particularly useful for constructing flexible light-emitting devices owing to their low cost and easy integration with flexible electrodes and polymer substrates. ACEL devices utilizing the phosphor-elastomer composite as the emissive layer are intrinsically stretchable/deformable, in contrast to direct current light-emitting diodes that are often built on rigid panels. In this Research Update, we summarize recent advances in the design and preparation of various flexible-panel ACEL devices. Emerging applications enabled by these flexible ACEL devices are also highlighted.
Highlights
The EL induced by an electric field is called high-field EL or alternating current electroluminescence (ACEL), as it is generally powered by an alternating current electrical source at high voltages (>10 V)
Through many years of research, ACEL devices have been liberated from the glass substrates and rejuvenated in the field of flexible electronics
Flexible ACEL devices with extremely high mechanical robustness and a stable light output can be readily prepared in various forms such as flexible panels, wires, and arbitrary shapes
Summary
Electroluminescence (EL) is the generation of light from materials in response to the passage of an electric current or a strong electric field.[1,2] The EL involving current flow is named injection EL, in which electrically excited electrons and holes recombine at the p– n junction in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to produce light.[3,4] The EL induced by an electric field is called high-field EL or alternating current electroluminescence (ACEL), as it is generally powered by an alternating current electrical source at high voltages (>10 V). ACEL phosphors can be incorporated into an elastomeric matrix and attain intrinsic flexibility, which is hardly achievable for LEDs.[16,17,18,19,20,21] Benefiting from the rapid development of flexible ACEL devices, a diversity of intriguing applications have emerged in recent years, such as stretchable/deformable displays, visual readout units on arbitrary shapes, and epidermal health monitoring devices.[22,23,24,25].
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