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Nano Research 2019, 12(4): 733-740 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-018-2239-x
Research Article | Issue | Published: 19 November 2018

Polychromic carbon black: Laser galvanized multicolour fluorescence display

Show Author's Information Sharon Xiaodai Lim1,  Kae Lin Wong2,  Zheng Zhang3,  Neto Antonio H. Castro1,4,  Chorng-Haur Sow1,4( )
Department of Physics,National University of Singapore, 2 Science Drive 3,Singapore,117542,Singapore;
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering,Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sungai Long Campus, Jalan Sungai Long, Bandar Sungai Long, Cheras,Kajang,43000,Selangor, Malaysia;
Institute of Materials Research Engineering,A*Star (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis,Singapore,138634,Singapore;
Center for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Center,National University of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2,Singapore,117546,Singapore;
Keywords:
flexible, photocurrent, recovered carbon black, laser modification, fluorescence emission
Topics:
FluorescenceHeliumPhotocurrents
Cite this article:
Lim SX, Wong KL, Zhang Z, et al. Polychromic carbon black: Laser galvanized multicolour fluorescence display. Nano Research, 2019, 12(4): 733-740. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-018-2239-x
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Abstract Full text Electronic supplementary material About this article

Recovered carbon black (rCB), a very economical and abundance source of material, is transformed into dazzling multicolour fluorescence and visual display for the first time by way of a scanning focused laser treatment. This laser-initiated process is both straightforward and versatile, catering to both micro- and macro-scopic patterning with the sample in ambient or helium environment. The observed phenomenon is attributed to both chemical and structural induced colouration of rCB powder. Chemically, carbon infusion of oxidised metal occurs when photothermal reaction takes place in ambient. After laser modification with the sample in helium environment, the powder not only fluoresces due to sulphur impurities, control annealing of these powders results in formation of periodic arrangements of carbon nanoparticles. The periodicity of these arrangement falls within the range of visible wavelength, hence contributing to the visually observable rainbow coloured rCB flakes. The patterned sample is also transferrable using PDMS stamps. This in turn broadens the application of this material in flexible electronic devices/displays. Photocurrent measurements show most significant enhancement under yellow light illumination. Furthermore, in the presence of an applied potential, the fluorescence detected from the sample can easily be switched off. All in all, we present a simple process to add multiple functionalities to a material that is both inexpensive and sustainable.


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Electronic supplementary material
About this article

Polychromic carbon black: Laser galvanized multicolour fluorescence display

Show Author's information Sharon Xiaodai Lim1, Kae Lin Wong2, Zheng Zhang3, Neto Antonio H. Castro1,4, Chorng-Haur Sow1,4( )
Department of Physics,National University of Singapore, 2 Science Drive 3,Singapore,117542,Singapore;
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering,Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sungai Long Campus, Jalan Sungai Long, Bandar Sungai Long, Cheras,Kajang,43000,Selangor, Malaysia;
Institute of Materials Research Engineering,A*Star (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis,Singapore,138634,Singapore;
Center for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Center,National University of Singapore, 6 Science Drive 2,Singapore,117546,Singapore;

Abstract

Recovered carbon black (rCB), a very economical and abundance source of material, is transformed into dazzling multicolour fluorescence and visual display for the first time by way of a scanning focused laser treatment. This laser-initiated process is both straightforward and versatile, catering to both micro- and macro-scopic patterning with the sample in ambient or helium environment. The observed phenomenon is attributed to both chemical and structural induced colouration of rCB powder. Chemically, carbon infusion of oxidised metal occurs when photothermal reaction takes place in ambient. After laser modification with the sample in helium environment, the powder not only fluoresces due to sulphur impurities, control annealing of these powders results in formation of periodic arrangements of carbon nanoparticles. The periodicity of these arrangement falls within the range of visible wavelength, hence contributing to the visually observable rainbow coloured rCB flakes. The patterned sample is also transferrable using PDMS stamps. This in turn broadens the application of this material in flexible electronic devices/displays. Photocurrent measurements show most significant enhancement under yellow light illumination. Furthermore, in the presence of an applied potential, the fluorescence detected from the sample can easily be switched off. All in all, we present a simple process to add multiple functionalities to a material that is both inexpensive and sustainable.

Keywords: flexible, photocurrent, recovered carbon black, laser modification, fluorescence emission

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Publication history
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Acknowledgements

Publication history

Received: 02 August 2018
Revised: 30 October 2018
Accepted: 31 October 2018
Published: 19 November 2018
Issue date: April 2019

Copyright

© Tsinghua University Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the kind assistance from Dr. Wu Jing in creating the cover design submitted with this work.

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