Multifunctional persistent luminescent and photochromic hackmanite-based materials prepared by microwave-assisted solid-state synthesis

• Published in: Optical materials Vol. 155; p. 115826
• Main Authors: Merízio, Leonnam Gotardo, Machado, Ian Pompermayer, Vastamäki, Roosa, de Camargo, Andréa Simone Stucchi, Lastusaari, Mika
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2024
• Subjects: Hackmanite; Microwave-assisted synthesis; Persistent luminescence; Photochromism; Photochromism; Hackmanite; Microwave-assisted synthesis; Persistent luminescence
• ISSN: 0925-3467
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2024.115826

Advanced optical materials inspired by natural minerals and non-toxic light elements, such as the Hackmanites (Na8Al6Si6O24(Cl,S)2), find vast possibilities of applications as they can simultaneously perform photochromism and persistent luminescence (PersL). In this work, we have explored a rapid and energy-efficient microwave-assisted (MASS) methodology for the synthesis of PersL and photochromic hackmanites. In addition, we have prepared hackmanite materials using a zeolite-free precursor to control the Na–Al–Si ratio and study its influence on the materials photoluminescent properties. The PersL hackmanites showed a white-bluish emission color, with up to 2 h of emission time. Zeolite-free photochromic materials were able to change the color from white to purple/blue efficiently with a few seconds of 254 nm excitation, but the usage of zeolite precursors enhanced the overall optical performance. Microwave synthesis times of 10–40 min were demonstrated to be optimal, as longer times boosted the formation of nepheline spurious phase, which decreases luminescence efficiency. In this way, the MASS method led to a reduction of reaction time up to 98 %, yielding hackmanite materials with similar photoluminescent or photochromic properties compared to those obtained by a 24 h conventional solid-state synthesis. This work represents a significant improvement toward coupling eco-friendly synthetic processes to eco-friendly solid-state materials for PersL illumination and PersL/photochromism optical marking. •New synthesis approaches for Persistent Luminescent and Photochromic Hackmamnite based materials.•Microwave-assisted solid-state method (MASS) saves up to 98 % of time for Hackmanite synthesis.•Zeolite-free synthesis opens possibilities to explore the Na–Al–Si ratio and its influence on hackmanite properties.