The use of phosphorescence micromaterials for commercial textile products

Fluorescent textile products are manifold used. Compared to fluorescent textiles, phosphorescent textile products exhibit an afterglow effect even after the illumination is stopped. Phosphorescent textiles are less present as commercial products on the market. With this background the aim of the actual presentation is to investigate the properties of commercially available phosphorescent textile materials. Investigations are performed by illumination under different light arrangement. Microscopy is performed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and advanced light microscopy using UV light. Light emission of the samples is recorded by fluorescence spectroscopy. The chemical composition is determined by using electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Depending on the type of sample, an afterglow effect can be determined up to 5 to 30 minutes after stopping the illumination with UV light. By SEM and EDS methods it is observed that the phosphorescent effects are realized by application of phosphorescent pigments, which can be best described as phosphorescent micromaterials. Depending on the product category, two different types of phosphorescent materials are used – doped strontium aluminates (SrAl2O4) and zinc sulfide (ZnS). Products based on doped strontium aluminates exhibit longer afterglow effects compared to products with ZnS pigments. However, the use of doped strontium aluminate is quite surprising for a commercial textile product, because of cost reasons. Finally, it can be stated that phosphorescent micromaterials are established materials for realization of functional textile products. These micromaterials can be found in every day products and are examples for innovative particle technology used in commercial consumer products.