A bright future in eco-friendly light devices, just add dendrimers, cellulose, and graphene
Researchers from Japan and Germany have developed a new eco-friendly, and long-lasting light-emitting electrochemical cell using dendrimers combined with biomass derived cellulose acetate as the electrolyte and a graphene electrode
In research that could lead to a new age in illumination, researchers from Japan and Germany have developed an eco-friendly light-emitting electrochemical cells using new molecules called dendrimers combined with biomass derived electrolytes and graphene-based electrodes. Their findings were published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
Electroluminescence is the phenomenon where a material emits light in response to a passing electric current. Everything from the screen you’re using to read this sentence to the lasers used in cutting edge scientific research are results of the electroluminescence of different materials. Due to its ubiquity and necessity in the modern age, it is only natural that extensive resources go into research and development to make this technology better.
“One such example of an emerging technology is ‘light-emitting electrochemical cells’ or LECs,” explains Associate Professor Ken Albrecht from Kyushu University’s Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering and one of the leads of the study. “They have been attracting attention because of their cost advantage over organic light emitting diodes, or OLEDs. Another reason for LECs popularity is their simplified structure.”
OLED devices generally require the carful layering of multiple organic films, making it tricky and costly to manufacture. LECs on the other hand can be made with a single layer of organic film mixed with light-emitting materials and an electrolyte. The electrode that connects it all together can even be made from inexpensive materials unlike the rare or heavy metals used in OLEDs. Moreover, LECs have lower driving voltage, meaning they consume less energy.
“Our research teams have been exploring new organic materials that can be used in LECs. One such candidate are dendrimers,” explains Prof. Rubén D. Costa of the Technical University of Munich, who led the research team in Germany. “These are branched symmetric polymeric molecules whose unique structure has led to their utility in everything from medicine to sensors, and now in optics.”
Building upon their past work on developing dendrimers, the research team began modifying their materials for LECs.
“The dendrimer we developed initially had hydrophobic, or water repelling, molecular groups. By replacing this with hydrophilic, or water liking, groups we found that the lifetime of the LEC device could be extended to over 1000 hours, more than 10-fold from the original,” explains Albrecht. “What makes it even better is that thanks to our collaboration with Dr Costa’s team the device is very eco-friendly.”
For years, Costa’s team in Germany had been working on developing cheaper and more environmentally friendly materials in light-emitting devices. One material they have been experimenting with is cellulose acetate, a common organic compound used in everything from clothing fibers and eyeglass frames.
“We used biomass derived cellulose acetate as the electrolyte in our new LEC device, and confirmed that it has the same long-life span,” continues Costa. “Moreover, we also found that graphene can be used as an electrode as well. This is a vital step toward making flexible light-emitting devices using environmentally friendly materials.”
The team explains that while their work is promising more research is necessary before the devices can be made to market.
“The device we made here only illuminates in yellow, so we need to develop it to illuminate in the three primary light colors: blue, green, and red. Luminescence efficiency, how bright the light is, also needs work,” concludes Albrecht. “Though thanks to our international collaboration, the future looks bright.”
Original Article: A bright future in eco-friendly light devices, just add dendrimers, cellulose, and graphene
More from: Kyushu University | Technical University of Munich
The Latest Updates from Bing News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Light-emitting electrochemical cells
- Light Emitting Diode-Based Therapy
It delivers pulsed visible yellow light (588 nm ± 10 nm) from two contiguous LED panels. It is claimed to "energize" mitochondria, send cell signals to cell receptors, increase/decrease gene ...
- New understanding of energy losses in emerging light source
More information: Xiaoying Zhang et al, Efficiency Roll‐Off in Light‐Emitting Electrochemical Cells, Advanced Materials (2024). DOI: 10.1002/adma.202310156 Provided by Umea University ...
- New understanding of energy losses in emerging light source
The light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC) can be fabricated in a sustainable and cost-effective way on both rigid and flexible surfaces making it suitable for a broad range of applications ...
- New understanding of energy losses in emerging light source
(Nanowerk News) The light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC) can be fabricated in a sustainable and cost-effective way on both rigid and flexible surfaces making it suitable for a broad range of ...
- With the flick of a switch: Shaping cells with light
Imagine switching on a light and being able to understand and control the inner dynamics of a cell. This is what the Dimova group has achieved: by shining lights of different colors on replicates ...
Go deeper with Bing News on:
LECs
- 9th successive Construction Power and Energy Expo 2024 set to kick off in July
Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS) is proud to announce the return of Sri Lanka’s most focused construction, interior products, lighting, power and energy exhibition – Construction Power ...
- Great Plains Communications Offers Support to Communities and Customers Impacted by Tornado and Storm Damage
The company remains dedicated to keeping homes and businesses connected during rebuilding efforts through the resiliency of their network, billing relief and a donation drive.Blair, Nebraska, April 30 ...
- UB SPPS Learning and Engagement Communities announce official houses
The UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPPS) is thrilled to announce the official launch of our six newly established Learning and Engagement Community (LEC) houses. LECs and their ...
- LECS unveils Construction Power and Energy Expo 2024
Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS) today announced the return of Sri Lanka's most focused construction, interior products, lighting, power and energy exhibition - the 'Construction Power ...
- France stocks lower at close of trade; CAC 40 down 0.27%
The top performers on the SBF 120 were Publicis Groupe SA (EPA:PUBP) which rose 3.08% to 103.65, Verallia (EPA:VRLA) which was up 2.32% to settle at 35.30 and Lectra SA (EPA:LECS) which gained 2. ...