3D Reconfigurable Display Devices Enabled by a Composite Emissive Layer with Integrated Electroluminescent and Shape‐Memory Functions

ABSTRACT Three‐dimensional reconfigurable light‐emitting devices are promising for next‐generation displays, wearable electronics, and interactive optoelectronic systems. However, conventional alternating‐current electroluminescent devices usually rely on multilayer architectures, making it difficult to simultaneously achieve structural simplicity, stable light emission, and programmable shape reconfiguration. Herein, a shape‐memory‐polymer‐based electroluminescent device with 3D reconfigurability is developed. The epoxy/ZnS:Cu composite layer serves simultaneously as the electroluminescent medium and shape‐memory layer, enabling temporary shape fixation and thermally triggered recovery. At 60 wt.% ZnS:Cu, the composite achieves a shape‐fixity ratio of 99.8% and a shape‐recovery ratio of 97.6%. An MXene electrothermal layer provides rapid, controllable Joule heating, enabling electrically triggered reconfiguration without an external heat source. At 3 V and approximately 49 mA, the MXene layer reaches a stable temperature within about 32 s. The device maintains stable electroluminescence in flower‐shaped, butterfly‐shaped, bent, coiled, and fiber‐shaped configurations. After 100 fixation–recovery cycles, the shape‐recovery ratio remains above 93%, confirming good cycling stability. The strategy is further extended to shape‐memory electroluminescent fibers, broadening accessible device geometries and display formats. This work provides a practical route toward structurally simple, electrically reconfigurable, and morphologically programmable light‐emitting devices for adaptive wearable displays, three‐dimensional artistic displays, and fiber‐based optoelectronic platforms.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2026-08-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.77845
Primary Topic
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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3D Reconfigurable Display Devices Enabled by a Composite Emissive Layer with Integrated Electroluminescent and Shape‐Memory Functions

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3D Reconfigurable Display Devices Enabled by a Composite Emissive Layer with Integrated Electroluminescent and Shape‐Memory Functions

Shouzheng Jiao, Zhicheng Sun, Zhongjun Cheng, Siqi Wang, Man Wang, Rongxue Xi, Chenshun Hu, Chao Wu, Yuwei Hao, Furong Li
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Three‐dimensional reconfigurable light‐emitting devices are promising for next‐generation displays, wearable electronics, and interactive optoelectronic systems. However, conventional alternating‐current electroluminescent devices usually rely on multilayer architectures, making it difficult to simultaneously achieve structural simplicity, stable light emission, and programmable shape reconfiguration. Herein, a shape‐memory‐polymer‐based electroluminescent device with 3D reconfigurability is developed. The epoxy/ZnS:Cu composite layer serves simultaneously as the electroluminescent medium and shape‐memory layer, enabling temporary shape fixation and thermally triggered recovery. At 60 wt.% ZnS:Cu, the composite achieves a shape‐fixity ratio of 99.8% and a shape‐recovery ratio of 97.6%. An MXene electrothermal layer provides rapid, controllable Joule heating, enabling electrically triggered reconfiguration without an external heat source. At 3 V and approximately 49 mA, the MXene layer reaches a stable temperature within about 32 s. The device maintains stable electroluminescence in flower‐shaped, butterfly‐shaped, bent, coiled, and fiber‐shaped configurations. After 100 fixation–recovery cycles, the shape‐recovery ratio remains above 93%, confirming good cycling stability. The strategy is further extended to shape‐memory electroluminescent fibers, broadening accessible device geometries and display formats. This work provides a practical route toward structurally simple, electrically reconfigurable, and morphologically programmable light‐emitting devices for adaptive wearable displays, three‐dimensional artistic displays, and fiber‐based optoelectronic platforms.

Advanced Functional Materials
Harbin Institute of Technology (CN), Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication (CN), Chambroad Chemical Industry Research Institute (China) (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 19%
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
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