Stable White Light‐Emitting Biocomposite Films

• Published in: Advanced functional materials Vol. 28; no. 24
• Main Authors: Gotta, Julia, Shalom, Tal Ben, Aslanoglou, Stella, Cifuentes‐Rius, Anna, Voelcker, Nicolas H., Elnathan, Roey, Shoseyov, Oded, Richter, Shachar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 13.06.2018
• Subjects: Biomedical materials; bio‐LEDs; Composite materials; crystalline nanocellulose; Light emitting diodes; Materials science; Mechanical properties; mucin; Optical properties; Organic light emitting diodes; phosphor materials; Polymer coatings; Ultraviolet radiation; white LEDs; White light
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201706967

The demonstration of reliable and stable white light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) is one of the main technological challenges of the LED industry. This is usually accomplished by incorporation of light‐emitting rare‐earth elements (REEs) compounds within an external polymeric coating of a blue LED allowing the generation of white light. However, due to both environmental and cost issues, the development of low‐cost REE‐free coatings, which exhibit competitive performance compared to conventional white LED is of great importance. In this work, the formation of an REE‐free white LED coating is demonstrated. This biocomposite material, composed of biological (crystalline nanocellulose and porcine gastric mucin) and organic (light‐emitting dyes) compounds, exhibits excellent optical and mechanical properties as well as resistance to heat, humidity, and UV radiation. The coating is further used to demonstrate a working white LED by incorporating it within a commercial blue LED. Light‐emitting films made out of biocomposite materials are demonstrated. These comprise of dyes incorporated in proteins, hosted in a crystalline nanocellulose matrix. The films do not contain rare‐earth materials and exhibit excellent optical and mechanical properties, and resistance to heat, humidity, and UV radiation. The biocomposite is utilized to form a stable working white light‐emitting diode.