Cross-Linked Rubbers as Continuous Matrices for Ultralong Afterglow Elastomers with Low Dynamic Hysteresis and Visible Light Excitability

Room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) elastomers with small dynamic hysteresis and visible light excitability hold significant academic and practical value but have remained unrealized to date, although some elastic RTP materials have been reported. Herein, we propose and demonstrate that cross-linked diene rubbers as the continuous phase, small amounts of rigid plastics as the triplet-stabilization phase, and coronene (Cor) as the triplet dopant enable the fabrication of ultralong RTP elastomers with small dynamic hysteresis and visible light excitability. Notably, cross-linked Cor/IR/PS (0.2/90/10 by weight) emitted ultralong RTP with lifetimes of 3.11, 2.10, and 1.20 s and afterglow durations of 40, 30, and 15 s under 365, 440, and 460 nm light excitation, respectively. This work not only developed highly elastic, small dynamic hysteresis, and visible light-excitable RTP elastomers but also disclosed a universal strategy of developing RTP polymers with easy-to-photoactivate and tunable mechanical properties via the synergistic effect of diene rubbers, mitigating oxygen quenching and rigid plastics, and inhibiting triplet thermal deactivation.