Flexible alternating current electroluminescence devices toward sensing-display integration

The burgeoning advancement of flexible electronics necessitates the development of light-emitting devices that integrate high performance with multifunctional capabilities. Zinc sulfide alternating current electroluminescent (ACEL) devices, leveraging their inherent flexibility, exceptional environmental stability, and area light source characteristics, have emerged as one of the most promising platforms for constructing next-generation wearable optoelectronic devices. However, further advancement is constrained by multiple challenges, including driving voltage requirements, environmental stability, and scalable manufacturing. This review offers a critical synthesis of recent advances through a unique “materials–device–system” co-evolution lens, a perspective underexplored in prior literature. It systematically elucidates electroluminescence mechanisms and performance-tuning strategies for key components (emissive layers, dielectric layers, and electrodes), while simultaneously mapping the field’s progression through three defining phases: static displays, dynamic pixelated displays, and intelligent interactive systems. Collectively, this review aims to serve as a valuable resource by providing critical insights to guide future development of high-performance flexible ACEL devices.