Triboresponsive behavior of mechanochromic luminescent molecule containing polymers

Mechanochromic luminescent (MCL) materials have recently garnered significant attention in intelligent sensing, information encryption, and flexible displays. Although plenty of MCL polymer blends have been reported, but the investigations of the effects of the loading conditions on MCL behavior are still inadequate, which highly restricts the further engineering applications. In this study, a MCL molecule doped polyurethane film was fabricated. The effects of luminogen content, applied force, and sliding linear velocity on triboluminescence (TL) performance were investigated using a tribological testing platform. The results indicate that both luminogen content and morphology have significant influence on TL intensity. The uniformly distributed fine luminogen particles can provide high effectively MCL response. The overloaded applied force squeezes the MCL luminogens from the center to the edge of the friction track and cause the damage of the film surface, restricting the TL intensity. Furthermore, an increased sliding linear velocity leads to a reduced TL intensity. • Triboluminescence behavior of mechanochromic luminescent molecule doped polyurethane film were investigated. • Uniformly distributed fine luminogen particles can provide high effectively mechanoresponsive luminescent response. • Optimized value of applied force exists for the mechanochromic luminescent molecule containing polymers. • Triboluminescent intensity decreases gradually with increasing sliding linear velocity.