Recent advances of functional fluorescent dyes: textile and non-textile applications

The conventional dyeing technology of textiles using organic dyes is well-known to the majority of customers. However, the applications of organic colorants are increasingly important for high-tech applications. This has led to the emergence of functional dyes, which are used in specialized high-tech applications such as optoelectronics, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with high efficiency which record ղ% >10, sensing and fluorescence probes for anions and heavy metal with high sensitivity which can detect ions with concentration < 20 nanomole, data storage, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), photochromic materials, thermochromic printing, and laser applications, among others. Fluorescent dyes, which can absorb and emit electromagnetic radiation through radiative deactivation mechanisms in electronic systems, are particularly interesting. The fluorescence behavior of organic dyes adds value to them and increases their demand in various applications. This review article aims to discuss recent advances in functional fluorescent dyes and their applications in textiles as well as in non-textile areas such as electronics (including lasers, DSSCs, and OLEDs), analytical and sensing technologies, and medical applications.