Gels, Vol. 11, Pages 673: Gel-Type Electrofluorochromic Devices for Advanced Optoelectronic Applications

Gels doi: 10.3390/gels11080673

Authors:
Xuecheng Wang
Lijing Wen
Jinxia Ren
Yonghen Wen
Yonghua Li
Yizhou Zhang
Kenneth Yin Zhang

Gel-type electrofluorochromic (EFC) devices, which reversibly modulate photoluminescence under electrical stimuli, have emerged as versatile platforms for advanced optoelectronic applications. By integrating redox-active luminophores with soft, ion-conductive gel matrices, these systems combine the structural robustness of solids with the ionic mobility of liquids, enabling a high-contrast, flexible, and multifunctional operation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of gel-based EFC technologies, outlining fundamental working principles, device architectures, and key performance metrics such as contrast ratio, switching time, and cycling stability. Gel matrices are categorized into ionogels, organogels, and hydrogels, and their physicochemical properties are discussed in relation to EFC device performance. Recent advances are highlighted across applications ranging from flexible displays and rewritable electronic paper to strain and biosensors, data encryption, smart windows, and hybrid energy-interactive systems. Finally, current challenges and emerging strategies are analyzed to guide the design of next-generation adaptive, intelligent, and energy-efficient optoelectronic platforms.

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Xuecheng Wang www.mdpi.com