Open Access Article
This Open Access Article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 3.0 Unported LicenceTransparent, Antibacterial, UV Shielding and Self-healing Fluorescence Polymer Materials Inspired by Scorpion
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Wenjin Wu , Jie Dong , Yingxin Shen , Yijia Yang , Yingliang Wu , Xiaojuan Liao and Kun Huang
First published on 2nd September 2025
Abstract
As an ancient Earth creature, scorpions have adapted well to various complex living environments after hundreds of millions of years of biological evolution. Its exoskeleton (cuticle) emits blue-green bioluminescence under UV radiation. Using scorpion fluorescent molecule (macrocyclic diphthalate ester (MDE)) to prepare responsive fluorescent materials is an effective strategy. This paper studies the special properties of poly (butyl acrylate-co-N-isopropylacrylamide) (PBN-MDE) film doped with scorpion fluorescent molecules. The MDE fluorescent molecules can form dynamic hydrogen bonds with the PBN polymer chain, greatly enhancing its mechanical properties, with specific ductility and toughness nearly ten times before doping. In addition, the PBN-MDE film not only has excellent visible light transmittance and can display obvious fluorescence under UV light (365 nm), but also exhibits preeminent UV shielding efficiency (<400 nm) and the good bacteriostatic activity for Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria. These special functions of the PBN-MDE film can effectively extend its service life and are expected to achieve UV-resistant coatings with functions such as information protection, adaptive camouflage, or information transmission.