Scalable Fabrication of Electroluminescent Fibers with Exceptional Environmental Stability

Alternating current electroluminescent (ACEL) textiles show great promise for wearables, but functional limitations and unsustainable manufacturing methods limit their industrial use. Herein, we report the development of a carbon dioxide-derived poly(ionic liquid) waterborne polyurethane (CO2–WPU-IL) coating. This coating functions dualistically as an electroluminescent matrix and an encapsulation barrier for ACEL fibers, effectively eliminating interfacial defects and mitigating delamination risks. Critically, CO2-derived carbonate groups synergize with imidazolium cations, delivering superior optical transparency, robust adhesion, and potent antibacterial activity, outperforming existing encapsulation polymers. A scalable brush-coating process enables facile fabrication of ACEL textiles with uniform luminance (200 cd·m–2 at 5 V·μm–1, 1 kHz) and durability across extreme conditions (−80 to 70 °C, ultraviolet radiation, and water immersion). The integration of a 15 × 15 cm2 textile display with electronics enables dynamic pixelated lighting and programmable pattern generation through human-machine interaction. This CO2-derived platform establishes a bridge between high-performance electronics and sustainable manufacturing, charting a scalable, low-carbon-footprint pathway for next-generation interactive wearables.