Sang Yeop
Lee
a,
Hangyu
Lim
a,
Jung Ho
Bae
a,
Dongwoo
Chae
a,
Taejong
Paik
b,
Heon
Lee
*a and
Soong Ju
Oh
*a
aDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University 145, Anam-ro Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea. E-mail: heonlee@korea.ac.kr; sjoh1982@korea.ac.kr
bSchool of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
First published on 29th July 2022
This paper presents a self-classifying smart device that intelligently differentiates and operates three functions: electroluminescence display, ultraviolet light sensor, and thermal management via radiative cooling. The optical and electrical properties of the materials and structures are designed to achieve a spectrum-selective response, which enables the integration of the aforementioned functions into one device without any noise or interference. Spectrum-selective materials that absorb, emit, and radiate light with ultraviolet to mid-infrared wavelengths and device structures designed to prevent interference are achieved by using thin metal films, dielectric layers, and nanocrystals. The designed self-classifying smart device exhibits bright blue light emission upon current supply (display), green light emission upon exposure to UV light (sensor), and radiative cooling (thermal management). Furthermore, a smart device and house system with a display, UV light sensor, and radiative cooling performance was demonstrated. The findings of this study open new avenues for device integration in next-generation wearable device fabrication.
New conceptsHere, we introduce a self-classifying smart device that integrates a display, an ultraviolet sensor, and radiative cooling functions. The self-classifying device can detect, differentiate and determine various input signals by itself and output a different signal according to the input signal without the need for external power, circuits, and data processing. The device is designed with optically and electrically engineered materials of metals and dielectric films and nanocrystals, achieving a spectrum-selective response from ultraviolet to mid-infrared wavelength. This enables the three functions of a display that emits blue light in response to an alternating current, a sensor that emits green light upon exposure to UV light, and radiative cooling without any interferences. The self-classifying smart device opens new horizons in next-generation wearable device and sensor systems. |
Herein, we introduce a self-classifying smart device that integrates a display, an ultraviolet (UV)-light-detecting sensor, and zero-energy radiative cooling capabilities as a proof of concept. The self-classifying device can classify and determine three input signals by itself and output different functions according to the input signal without external power, circuits, and data processing. As the self-classifying device itself judges the input signals and displays different result outputs, users do not need any other operation tools. The device, which integrates these three functions, was designed with optically engineered materials and structures for the spectrum-selective absorption or emission of radiation from UV light with visible to mid-infrared wavelengths. The spectrum-selective optical response of the designed self-classifying structure enables the emission of blue light in response to an alternating current (AC) (display function) and green light upon exposure to UV light (sensor function), along with thermal management involving the reflection and emission of visible and mid-infrared light, respectively, (cooling function). These three functions are integrated into a single device on a flexible substrate without any noise or interference from the solution process. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the multifunctional device and smart-house system with UV light detection, display, and radiative cooling capabilities. We believe that this multifunctional smart device, fabricated without complicated processes, pioneers a new era in device integration and presents new possibilities for application in wearable devices (including devices directly applied on the human skin) and robotics.
We synthesized NCs having a green-light-emitting CdSe core and a UV-light-absorbing ZnS shell structure. The core/shell NCs were band-engineered to emit green light at 527 nm under UV light but not under visible light (Fig. 2a). NCs absorbing UV light and maximizing the Stokes shift to emit visible light were designated as giant core-shell nanocrystals (GCs).
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| Fig. 2 (a) Photoluminescence property, (b) UV-vis absorption spectrum, (c) PL spectrum, (d) HR-TEM image, and (e) XRD pattern of the giant core/shell nanocrystals. | ||
The optical properties of GCs were analyzed via UV-vis and PL spectroscopy (Fig. 2b and c). The UV-vis spectrum shows that absorption starts at a wavelength of approximately 400 nm. This result is in good agreement with the bandgap of ZnS.34 The PL spectrum shows an emission peak at 527 nm with a narrow full width at a half maximum of 22 nm, which corresponds to the core CdSe. There is a difference of approximately 127 nm between the onset of absorption and the PL peak, indicating a large Stokes shift. This supports the fact that the core CdSe does not absorb light because the volume ratio of the shell is very large; light is absorbed only in the ZnS shell, and only the core CdSe emits light owing to the band offset. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were used to investigate the structural properties of the synthesized GCs (Fig. 2d). The HR-TEM image shows that the GCs have a typical diameter of 13 nm and their size distribution is very narrow. In addition, a core size of 3 nm was observed (inset), with the ZnS shell being very large compared with the CdSe core. In addition, the XRD pattern was well matched with the 13 nm GC structure (Fig. 2e).34 The PL quantum yield of the GCs and the optical properties of the Cu-doped ZnS are provided in the ESI.†
The device fabrication process is shown in Fig. 3a. A 200 nm Ag layer produced via thermal evaporation was used as the bottom electrode on the PET substrate. A PDMS composite (1 wt% ZnS, 0.1 wt% GC) was spin-coated to a thickness of 100 nm onto the Ag-deposited PET and then half-cured. ITO PET was placed on the half-cured PDMS to form the top electrode, which was then completely cured.
Additionally, the performance of the smart device was analyzed. As seen in the optical image (Fig. 3b, left), the device has a mirror-like appearance under normal conditions. When the AC flows, only the Cu-doped ZnS selectively emits blue light (Fig. 3b, middle). In the absence of an AC, the GCs can also emit light under 365 nm-wavelength UV illumination, and the device then emits green light (Fig. 3b, right, and Fig. S4, ESI†). The optical properties of the fabricated device were measured using spectroscopy. When the AC flows, the device emits 450 nm (blue light), as seen in the EL spectrum (Fig. 3c, left). By contrast, under UV light, the PL emission spectrum of the GCs (Fig. 3c, right) clearly shows a peak at 527 nm (green light). In the Commission Internationale de l’ Éclairage (CIE) 1931 color coordinate system, blue light emission under an AC corresponds to the coordinates (0.1508, 0.1334) and green light emission under UV light corresponds to (0.1561, 0.3292) (Fig. 3d). The spectra and CIE coordinates show that the device clearly emits different colors of light under AC stimulation and UV illumination.
The cooling performance of the smart device was investigated by measuring the optical properties of the light-absorbing materials (Fig. S5, ESI†). Although visible light absorption should be minimized to achieve the best cooling performance, the introduction of ZnS or GCs slightly increases the UV/visible light absorption.42 The effect of ZnS on visible light absorption and cooling performance was investigated using UV-vis spectroscopy (Fig. 4a). The visible light absorption at 550 nm for the EL device containing 10 wt% ZnS in the PDMS composite was measured to be 9.594%. By contrast, the visible light absorption of the EL device containing 1 wt% ZnS was 8.068% and that of the 0.1 wt% EL device was 7.835%. An EL device with 10 wt% ZnS cannot be used for the device because its visible light absorption is too high. The EL spectrum of each device was measured using a PL spectrometer (Fig. S6, ESI†). The device with 10 wt% Cu-doped ZnS emits intense blue light, while the device with 0.1 wt% ZnS emits very weak blue light. Accordingly, the proportion of ZnS required for a sufficiently high blue light EL intensity and sufficiently low visible light absorption in a cooling device was determined to be 1 wt%.
Using the same method, the amount of GCs needed to achieve a satisfactory cooling performance and PL ability was investigated. Devices containing 1, 0.1, and 0.01 wt% of GCs in the PDMS composite were fabricated, and a UV-vis spectrometer was used to measure the visible-light absorption of each device (Fig. 4b). The visible light absorption at 550 nm was found to be 10.452%, 8.205%, and 7.929% for the 1, 0.1, and 0.01 wt% GC devices, respectively. Hence, a device with 1 wt% GC cannot be used owing to excessive visible light absorption. In addition, a PL spectrometer was used to investigate whether the PL intensity was sufficiently high (Fig. S7, ESI†). The PL spectrum showed that a device containing 0.01 wt% GC cannot be used because the PL intensity is too low. As a result, it was determined that 0.1 wt% GC provided a sufficiently low visible light absorption to have an acceptable cooling performance and sufficiently high PL intensity to be used in devices.
Therefore, the device was fabricated using 1 wt% ZnS and 0.1 wt% GC based on the light absorption and EL/PL spectrum intensity. A UV-vis spectrometer was used to measure the visible light absorption (Fig. 4c). A radiative cooling device with the same structure but without GC and ZnS was fabricated for visible-light absorption comparison. At 550 nm, the radiative cooling device without ZnS and GC had a visible light absorption rate of 7.031%, whereas the proposed device had a rate of 9.032%. The visible-light absorption of the proposed device was higher because ZnS absorbs visible light, and scattering occurred because of the presence of ZnS and GC in the PDMS active layer. However, a 9.032% visible-light absorption rate is still sufficiently low to allow the use of this material for cooling. The UV-vis spectrometric results thus indicate that the device can be used for cooling during daytime usage owing to its low visible light absorption.
To measure the cooling performance at night, the absorption rate at the mid-infrared wavelength was measured using a Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer (Fig. 4d). The mid-infrared absorption rate in the 8–13 μm range exceeded 80%, which is sufficiently high for the device to be used as a cooling material. Based on the mid-infrared absorption, an acceptable cooling performance could result from effective heat exchange with space during usage at night.
Outdoor measurements were performed to investigate the external cooling characteristics of the fabricated smart devices. A chamber that could measure several samples simultaneously was used to measure the cooling performance of the device (Fig. S8, ESI†). The size of the chamber for measuring each sample was the same, and the top was covered with a polyethylene film to minimize the influence of wind.
The cooling performance of the device under solar irradiation for two days was measured using this chamber (Fig. 4e). During the daytime, the radiative cooling device without Cu-doped ZnS and GC was cooled by 10.6 °C, whereas the proposed device was cooled by 9.6 °C. The cooling performance of the proposed device during the daytime was weakened by the solar energy absorption by the Cu-doped ZnS and GC. At night, when solar energy absorption by the ZnS and GC did not occur, both samples were cooled by 8.6 °C. The excellent radiative cooling performance of the proposed smart device was thus verified via outdoor temperature measurements. Other data to verify the cooling performance, such as the wind speed and cooling power, are described in the ESI.†
The proposed smart device can distinguish between UV and AC by the different colors of the PL and EL light. Depending on which of the device's layers is patterned through lithography during the fabrication process, two devices can be fabricated: a ‘display’ mode device, which emits blue light of a specific pattern under AC and green light over the entire area under UV light, and a ‘warning’ mode device, which emits green light of a specific pattern under UV light and blue light over the entire area under AC. The ‘display’ mode device is fabricated by patterning the ITO of the top electrode and via lithography and acid-etching processes, such that when the ZnS under the ITO is stimulated by the AC and emits blue light, only the pattern is displayed to the user. For example, on the device shown in Fig. 5a, the ITO top electrode was patterned with the word ‘cool,’ and only the ZnS below the remaining ITO emitted blue light. However, the GC was not patterned; therefore, the entire area emitted green PL light when exposed to UV light. According to the pattern on the ITO, various shapes of information can be displayed in the form of blue light.
Alternatively, in the ‘warning’ mode, the GC in the active layer is patterned (Fig. 5b), but the ITO remains over the entire area of the device, such that when the AC is applied, blue EL light is emitted over the entire area. However, when the device is exposed to UV light, only the GC area that remains unpatterned emits green light. Thus, it is possible to effectively inform the user that UV light exists by means of an intuitive shape or text.
The device uses Ag coated on PET as the bottom electrode, PDMS with very good flexible properties for the active layer, and ITO PET as the top electrode. By using the spin coating method, it can be fabricated with a large area. Furthermore, as both the substrate and active layer have very good flexibility, a ‘warning’ mode and large ‘display’ mode smart device with excellent flexible characteristics can be fabricated and used in wearable applications (Fig. 5c, d and Fig. S13, ESI†).
A miniature ‘house’ system comprising a plain house and a smart house was constructed to simultaneously demonstrate the sensing and cooling performance (Fig. 5e and f). Unlike the plain house, the fabricated smart house emitted bright green PL light under UV light. The plain and smart houses were placed outside during the daytime, and their temperatures were measured using an infrared camera. After 30 min, the temperatures of the plain and smart houses were 56.5 and 42.2 °C, respectively, revealing that the smart house effectively exhibited a cooling performance of 14.3 °C during the daytime.
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10. After mixing, 0.1 wt% of GCs and 1 wt% of Cu-doped ZnS were added to the PDMS, which was then kept under vacuum in a desiccator for 1 h. The PDMS, GCs, and Cu-doped ZnS mixture was spin-coated at 1000 rpm for 30 s onto the Ag-deposited PET film and then half-cured at 80 °C for 30 min. The ITO PET top electrode was placed on the half-cured PDMS mixture and curing was completed by heating at 80 °C for 1 h. A radiative-cooling device was fabricated using the same process without the GCs and Cu-doped ZnS. The smart device was operated at 100 V AC and 500 Hz.
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9
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1. After etching, the remaining photoresist was removed by washing with acetone. The PET substrate was cleaned and then coated with 200 nm of silver using a thermal evaporator. A PDMS mixture was prepared by mixing the base and curing agent in a weight ratio of 10
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1 and then adding 1 wt% of Cu-doped ZnS and 0.1 wt% of GCs to the PDMS. This mixture was spin-coated onto the silver layer and cured at 80 °C for 30 min. After half-curing, the etched ITO PET was loaded onto the spin-coated PDMS mixture and then fully cured at 80 °C for 1 h.
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1 and 1 wt% of Cu-doped ZnS to the PDMS. The mixture of PDMS and Cu-doped ZnS was spin-coated onto the Ag layer and completely cured at 80 °C for 90 min. After curing, a giant core/shell layer was spin-coated onto the PDMS layer at 3000 rpm for 30 s, after which the AZ GXR-601 photoresist was spin-coated onto the giant core/shell layer at 3000 rpm for 30 s and annealed at 100 °C for 3 min. The layer was then exposed to UV light for 12 s, and the development process was conducted for 45 s. The remaining photoresist was removed using acetone. The PDMS adhesion layer was prepared by mixing the curing agent and base in a weight ratio of 1
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10 and spin-coated on the ITO PET at 5000 rpm for 30 s. Finally, the ITO PET with the PDMS adhesion layer was loaded onto the patterned giant core/shell layer and fully cured at 80 °C for 1 h.
Footnote |
| † Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Supporting Information contains more equation derivations, optical properties, fabrication processes, and wind speed, relative humidity, dew point, cooling power, cooling temperature, and simulation data. See DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d2nh00206j |
| This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2022 |