The researchers found that basswood naturally phosphoresces weakly and so mimicked this in their new material. (Credit: Sarka)
The researchers found that basswood naturally phosphoresces weakly and so mimicked this in their new material. (Credit: Sarka) - Researchers have developed a new phosphorescent material from lignin, a major component of wood. Last updated on Wednesday 25 August 2021 - Scientists have harnessed the natural ability of wood to faintly glow to develop a new sustainable phosphorescent material that could potentially be used in a wide number of applications, from medical imaging and optical sensing to 'glow in the dark' dyes and paints. An international team of researchers led by North East Forestry University (China) and the University of Bath (UK) investigated the natural phosphorescent properties of lignin, a major component of wood. Room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) is when a material absorbs energy with a short wavelength (such as UV light) and then emits it as visible light. This contrasts with fluorescent materials, which immediately emit the light again and stop glowing when the light is switched off. The researchers found that basswood naturally and weakly phosphoresces, releasing light for a few milliseconds due to lignin being trapped within a 3D matrix of cellulose.
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