Enhanced vertical mechanoluminescence in ZnS:Cu/PDMS composites via local electric-field and structural-stress regulation

Hui Zhou; Yue Qiu; Yongchao Li; Pei He; Birong Tian; Mang Gao; Guozhang Dai; Xiaowen Xu; Zhaofeng Wang; Junliang Yang

doi:10.1088/1674-4926/26090010

J. Semicond. > Just Accepted

ARTICLES

Enhanced vertical mechanoluminescence in ZnS:Cu/PDMS composites via local electric-field and structural-stress regulation

Hui Zhou^{1, 2}, Yue Qiu³, Yongchao Li^{1, 2}, Pei He³, Birong Tian^{4, 5}, Mang Gao^{1, 2}, Guozhang Dai^{1, 2}, Xiaowen Xu³, Zhaofeng Wang^{4, 5} and Junliang Yang^{1, 2, 6,}

+ Author Affiliations

1. Hunan Key Laboratory for Super-microstructure and Ultrafast Process, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
2. Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Fabrication and Device Manufacturing in Universities of Hunan Province, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
3. School of Electronic Information, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
4. State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
5. Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Green Manufacturing at Yantai, Yantai, Shandong 264006, P. R. China
6. State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China

Author Bio:

Hui Zhou received his bachelor’s degree from the School of Physical Science and Technology at Lanzhou University in 2017. From 2017 to 2020, he pursued a master’s degree through a joint training program between Lanzhou University and the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. In September 2021, he began pursuing his Ph.D. at the School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University. His research focuses on mechanoluminescent materials and their applications in sensing devices.

Junliang Yang is a professor, doctoral supervisor, and vice dean of the School of Physics at Central South University. He received his Ph.D. in 2008 and subsequently conducted research at the University of Warwick, the University of Melbourne, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia before joining Central South University in 2012. His research focuses on flexible printed electronics and optoelectronics, including solar cells, thin-film transistors, and sensors.

Corresponding author: Junliang Yang, junliang.yang@csu.edu.cn

DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/26090010CSTR: 32376.14.1674-4926.26090010

Abstract: ZnS:Cu-based mechanoluminescent (ML) materials have attracted considerable attention for stress visualization and self-powered sensing. However, their weak light emission under vertical compressive loading limits their practical applications. This limitation mainly arises from the weak local electric field and insufficient carrier excitation induced by vertical compressive loading in ZnS:Cu elastomer composites. Here, we report a local-electric-field-assisted strategy to enhance the vertical ML performance of ZnS:Cu/PDMS composites through the synergistic combination of material doping and structural engineering. The incorporation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) optimizes the local electric-field environment and improves stress transfer, resulting in a 9-fold enhancement in ML intensity compared with the undoped composite. In addition, a porous arch-shaped structure is constructed, yielding an approximately 10-fold higher ML intensity than that of the planar ZnS:Cu/PMMA/PDMS composite under the same applied force. Combined finite-element simulations and theoretical analysis confirm that the enhanced ML response originates from the synergistic coupling between local electric-field enhancement and stress-concentration-induced carrier de-trapping. This work provides new insights into the regulation of triboelectrically induced ML through multi-physical-field coupling and offers an effective strategy for designing high-performance ML composites.

Keywords: mechanoluminescence, ZnS:Cu, vertical compression, local electric field, stress concentration

References

[1]	Zhou H, Qiu Y, He P, et al. Fully-printed optical-electric dual mode flexible sensor. Adv Mater, 2026, 38(11): e17426 doi: 10.1002/adma.202517426
[2]	Tian B R, Zhao L S, Wang Y S, et al. Interfacial charge flow modulation of CaF₂/CaAl₁₂O₁₉: Dy heterojunctions for enhanced mechanoluminescence in flexible composites. Adv Mater, 2026, 38(7): e15048 doi: 10.1002/adma.202515048
[3]	Zheng T, Woźny P, Soler-Carracedo K, et al. Mechanoluminescent aluminum nitride crystal for super-sensitive optical manometry, thermometry and force sensing. Adv Mater, 2026, 38: e11943 doi: 10.1002/adma.202511943
[4]	Yan C M, He X, Yu B, et al. A mechanoluminescence-based stress sensing hydrogel for intelligent artificial ligament. Adv Funct Mater, 2025, 35(15): 2420142 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202420142
[5]	Runowski M, Moszczyński J, Woźny P, et al. Sound, force and light induced emissions from Er³⁺-Mn²⁺ doped ZnS/CaZnOS heterostructure for remote temperature monitoring via photo- and mechanoluminescence. Adv Mater, 2025, 37(41): e10117 doi: 10.1002/adma.202510117
[6]	Fang S F, Zhao L S, He X, et al. Highly repeatable and cyclically stable mechanoluminescence of the flexible composite elastomer. Adv Mater, 2025, 37(32): 2505071 doi: 10.1002/adma.202505071
[7]	Wang W X, Wang S W, Gu Y, et al. Contact-separation-induced self-recoverable mechanoluminescence of CaF₂: Tb³⁺/PDMS elastomer. Nat Commun, 2024, 15: 2014 doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-46432-3
[8]	Wang F L, Wang F L, Wang X D, et al. Mechanoluminescence enhancement of ZnS: Cu, Mn with piezotronic effect induced trap-depth reduction originated from PVDF ferroelectric film. Nano Energy, 2019, 63: 103861 doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2019.103861
[9]	Yang Z B, You C Y, Hu X L, et al. Self-powered high-frequency excited ZnS electroluminescent fibers for wearable visual interaction. Adv Funct Mater, 2026, 36(37): e30370 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202530370
[10]	Lee G, Song S, Jeong W H, et al. Interfacial triboelectricity lights up phosphor-polymer elastic composites: Unraveling the mechanism of mechanoluminescence in zinc sulfide microparticle-embedded polydimethylsiloxane films. Small, 2024, 20(17): e2307089 doi: 10.1002/smll.202307089
[11]	Listyawan M A, Song H, Hwang G T, et al. Effect of ZnS: Cu powder content on the mechanoluminescence intensity of stretchable elastomer composite for wearable device applications. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2022, 923166250
[12]	Hajra S, Panda S, Song S, et al. Flexible composite material for self-powered applications via triboelectricity and mechanoluminescence: PDMS/ZnS: Cu composites. Nano Energy, 2023, 114: 108668 doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2023.108668
[13]	Zhou B, Liu J Z, Huang X, et al. Mechanoluminescent-triboelectric bimodal sensors for self-powered sensing and intelligent control. Nano Micro Lett, 2023, 15(1): 72 doi: 10.1007/s40820-023-01054-0
[14]	Qasem A, Xiong P X, Ma Z J, et al. Recent advances in mechanoluminescence of doped zinc sulfides. Laser Photonics Rev, 2021, 15(12): 2100276 doi: 10.1002/lpor.202100276
[15]	Jia C Y, Xia Y F, Zhu Y, et al. High-brightness, high-resolution, and flexible triboelectrification-induced electroluminescence skin for real-time imaging and human–machine information interaction. Adv Funct Mater, 2022, 32(26): 2201292 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202201292
[16]	Qiu X Y, Liu J Z, Zhou B, et al. Bioinspired bimodal mechanosensors with real-time, visualized information display for intelligent control. Adv Funct Mater, 2023, 33(21): 2300321 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202300321
[17]	Li J Y, Zhang Z W, Luo X X, et al. Triboelectric leakage-field-induced electroluminescence based on ZnS: Cu. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2022, 14(3): 4775 doi: 10.1021/acsami.1c23155
[18]	Zhuang Y X, Xie R J. Mechanoluminescence rebrightening the prospects of stress sensing: A review. Adv Mater, 2021, 33(50): 2005925 doi: 10.1002/adma.202005925
[19]	Xu C-N, Watanabe T, Akiyama M, et al. Artificial skin to sense mechanical stress by visible light emission. Appl Phys Lett, 1999, 74(9): 1236-1238 doi: 10.1063/1.123510
[20]	Xu C-N, Watanabe T, Akiyama M, et al. Direct view of stress distribution in solid by mechanoluminescence. Appl Phys Lett, 1999, 74(17): 2414 doi: 10.1063/1.123865
[21]	Wang X D, Zhang H L, Yu R M, et al. Dynamic pressure mapping of personalized handwriting by a flexible sensor matrix based on the mechanoluminescence process. Adv Mater, 2015, 27(14): 2324 doi: 10.1002/adma.201405826
[22]	Wang X D, Que M L, Chen M X, et al. Sensors: Full dynamic-range pressure sensor matrix based on optical and electrical dual-mode sensing (adv. Mater. 15/2017). Adv Mater, 2017, 29(15): adma. 201770105
[23]	Qian X, Cai Z R, Su M, et al. Printable skin-driven mechanoluminescence devices via nanodoped matrix modification. Adv Mater, 2018, 30(25): 1800291 doi: 10.1002/adma.201800291
[24]	Jeong H I, Jung H S, Dubajic M, et al. Super elastic and negative triboelectric polymer matrix for high performance mechanoluminescent platforms. Nat Commun, 2025, 16(1): 854 doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-56007-5
[25]	Pan X, Zhuang Y X, He W, et al. Quantifying the interfacial triboelectricity in inorganic-organic composite mechanoluminescent materials. Nat Commun, 2024, 15: 2673 doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-46900-w
[26]	Wang C, Sun J L, Dong L, et al. Stretchable and transparent electroluminescent device driven by triboelectric nanogenerator. Nano Energy, 2019, 58: 410 doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2019.01.058
[27]	Bai Y Q, Wang F, Zhang L Q, et al. Interfacial triboelectrification-modulated self-recoverable and thermally stable mechanoluminescence in mixed-anion compounds. Nano Energy, 2022, 96: 107075 doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2022.107075
[28]	Cheng H L, Fang S Q, Li Y, et al. Mechano-electro-optical conversion dynamics in mechanoluminescence and its application in remote human–robot interaction. PhotoniX, 2025, 6(1): 50 doi: 10.1186/s43074-025-00210-6
[29]	Li C H, He Q G, Wang Y, et al. Highly robust and soft biohybrid mechanoluminescence for optical signaling and illumination. Nat Commun, 2022, 13: 3914 doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-31705-6
[30]	Mao Y C, Kubota Y, Gong J, et al. Mechanical performance and visual fracture warning function of mechanochromic stimuli-recovery polymer networks. Macromolecules, 2021, 54(18): 8664 doi: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c00904
[31]	Ding ing Y C, So B, Cao J K, et al. Ultrasound-induced mechanoluminescence and optical thermometry toward stimulus-responsive materials with simultaneous trigger response and read-out functions. Adv Sci, 2022, 9(23): 2201631 doi: 10.1002/advs.202201631
[32]	Wang N N, Pu M J, Ma Z D, et al. Control of triboelectricity by mechanoluminescence in ZnS/Mn-containing polymer films. Nano Energy, 2021, 90: 106646 doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106646
[33]	Liu H Z, Shao Y H, Song Z, et al. Mechanoluminescence of ZnS under easily tailored phase transitions. Adv Mater, 2025, 37(45): e11469 doi: 10.1002/adma.202511469

Fig. 1. (Color online) Strategies for enhancing the ML performance of ZnS:Cu under vertical stress. (a) ML responses of ZnS:Cu/PDMS under stretching, rubbing, folding, and pressing. (b) Material-doping strategy for regulating the local electric field, elastic modulus, and optical transmittance. (c) Structural-engineering strategy for enhancing stress transfer and inducing stress concentration under vertical loading.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Fig. 2. (Color online) Effect of material doping on ZnS:Cu/PDMS ML. (a) Schematic of doping-enhanced triboelectric-induced ML in ZnS:Cu/PDMS composites. (b) ML emission spectra of composites with different dopants (5 wt%). (c) Comparison of ML intensity between films doped with 5 wt% of different dopants and the undoped control sample. Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 4).

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Fig. 3. (Color online) Triboelectric properties of different dopants in contact with PDMS, and the optical transmittance and Young’s modulus of the corresponding dopant-containing composites. (a) SEM images of ZnS:Cu/PDMS composites containing different dopants. (b) Current output between PDMS films and dopant-based triboelectric layers. (c) Voltage output between PDMS films and dopant-based triboelectric layers. (d) Triboelectric charge density between PDMS films and dopant-based triboelectric layers. Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 3). (e) Optical transmittance spectra of the corresponding dopant films. (f) Comparison of the optical transmittance at 520 nm. Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 5). (g) Representative stress-strain curves of ZnS:Cu/PDMS composites containing different dopants. (h) Comparison of the Young’s modulus of the doped composites. Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 5). (i) Comparison of triboelectric density, Young’s modulus, and transmittance for different dopants.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Fig. 4. (Color online) Effect of PMMA doping concentration on the ML intensity of ZnS:Cu/PDMS. (a) ML spectra of ZnS:Cu/PDMS with different PMMA doping concentrations. (b) Relationship between PMMA doping concentration and the ML intensity of ZnS:Cu/PDMS.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Fig. 5. (Color online) Fabrication, mechanical regulation, and morphological characterization of the porous arch-shaped ML structure. (a) Schematic illustration of the fabrication process of the three-dimensional porous arch-shaped ML layer. (b) Stress-strain curves of the SiO₂-doped PDMS supporting layer as a function of SiO₂ concentration. (c) Young’s modulus and toughness of the SiO₂-doped PDMS composites at different SiO₂ concentrations. (d)−(g) SEM images of the cross-section, outer surface, side surface, and inner surface of the bilayer arch-shaped structure, respectively.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Fig. 6. (Color online) Experimental evaluation of vertically induced ML from different structural configurations. (a) Photograph of the self-built ML testing platform consisting of a linear motor, force sensor, and CMOS camera. (b)−(d) Photographs of the ZnS:Cu/PMMA/PDMS planar film, arch-shaped film, and porous arch-shaped film, respectively. (e) CMOS images of the ML emission from the three samples at 5 N. (f) Comparison of the total ML intensity obtained by summing the grayscale values of all emitting pixels. The data are averaged over three independent measurements for each sample.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Fig. 7. (Color online) Structural regulation of stress distribution and vertical ML in ZnS:Cu/PMMA/PDMS composites. (a)−(c) Comparison of the planar film, arch-shaped film, and porous arch-shaped structure, respectively. For each structure, (i) structural model, (ii) COMSOL finite-element simulation of the stress distribution under the same applied force, and (iii) experimentally measured ML emission distribution under an applied force of 5 N.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

Fig. 8. (Color online) Mechanism of enhanced ML in ZnS:Cu/PMMA/PDMS composites. (a) COMSOL-simulated interfacial separation and corresponding local electric-field distributions between ZnS:Cu particles and the PDMS matrix under different applied force. (b) Schematic illustration of the ML mechanism of ZnS:Cu, showing field-assisted carrier de-trapping, carrier migration, and radiative recombination at Cu⁺ luminescent centers.

DownLoad: Full-Size Img PowerPoint

[1]	Zhou H, Qiu Y, He P, et al. Fully-printed optical-electric dual mode flexible sensor. Adv Mater, 2026, 38(11): e17426 doi: 10.1002/adma.202517426
[2]	Tian B R, Zhao L S, Wang Y S, et al. Interfacial charge flow modulation of CaF₂/CaAl₁₂O₁₉: Dy heterojunctions for enhanced mechanoluminescence in flexible composites. Adv Mater, 2026, 38(7): e15048 doi: 10.1002/adma.202515048
[3]	Zheng T, Woźny P, Soler-Carracedo K, et al. Mechanoluminescent aluminum nitride crystal for super-sensitive optical manometry, thermometry and force sensing. Adv Mater, 2026, 38: e11943 doi: 10.1002/adma.202511943
[4]	Yan C M, He X, Yu B, et al. A mechanoluminescence-based stress sensing hydrogel for intelligent artificial ligament. Adv Funct Mater, 2025, 35(15): 2420142 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202420142
[5]	Runowski M, Moszczyński J, Woźny P, et al. Sound, force and light induced emissions from Er³⁺-Mn²⁺ doped ZnS/CaZnOS heterostructure for remote temperature monitoring via photo- and mechanoluminescence. Adv Mater, 2025, 37(41): e10117 doi: 10.1002/adma.202510117
[6]	Fang S F, Zhao L S, He X, et al. Highly repeatable and cyclically stable mechanoluminescence of the flexible composite elastomer. Adv Mater, 2025, 37(32): 2505071 doi: 10.1002/adma.202505071
[7]	Wang W X, Wang S W, Gu Y, et al. Contact-separation-induced self-recoverable mechanoluminescence of CaF₂: Tb³⁺/PDMS elastomer. Nat Commun, 2024, 15: 2014 doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-46432-3
[8]	Wang F L, Wang F L, Wang X D, et al. Mechanoluminescence enhancement of ZnS: Cu, Mn with piezotronic effect induced trap-depth reduction originated from PVDF ferroelectric film. Nano Energy, 2019, 63: 103861 doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2019.103861
[9]	Yang Z B, You C Y, Hu X L, et al. Self-powered high-frequency excited ZnS electroluminescent fibers for wearable visual interaction. Adv Funct Mater, 2026, 36(37): e30370 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202530370
[10]	Lee G, Song S, Jeong W H, et al. Interfacial triboelectricity lights up phosphor-polymer elastic composites: Unraveling the mechanism of mechanoluminescence in zinc sulfide microparticle-embedded polydimethylsiloxane films. Small, 2024, 20(17): e2307089 doi: 10.1002/smll.202307089
[11]	Listyawan M A, Song H, Hwang G T, et al. Effect of ZnS: Cu powder content on the mechanoluminescence intensity of stretchable elastomer composite for wearable device applications. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2022, 923166250
[12]	Hajra S, Panda S, Song S, et al. Flexible composite material for self-powered applications via triboelectricity and mechanoluminescence: PDMS/ZnS: Cu composites. Nano Energy, 2023, 114: 108668 doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2023.108668
[13]	Zhou B, Liu J Z, Huang X, et al. Mechanoluminescent-triboelectric bimodal sensors for self-powered sensing and intelligent control. Nano Micro Lett, 2023, 15(1): 72 doi: 10.1007/s40820-023-01054-0
[14]	Qasem A, Xiong P X, Ma Z J, et al. Recent advances in mechanoluminescence of doped zinc sulfides. Laser Photonics Rev, 2021, 15(12): 2100276 doi: 10.1002/lpor.202100276
[15]	Jia C Y, Xia Y F, Zhu Y, et al. High-brightness, high-resolution, and flexible triboelectrification-induced electroluminescence skin for real-time imaging and human–machine information interaction. Adv Funct Mater, 2022, 32(26): 2201292 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202201292
[16]	Qiu X Y, Liu J Z, Zhou B, et al. Bioinspired bimodal mechanosensors with real-time, visualized information display for intelligent control. Adv Funct Mater, 2023, 33(21): 2300321 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202300321
[17]	Li J Y, Zhang Z W, Luo X X, et al. Triboelectric leakage-field-induced electroluminescence based on ZnS: Cu. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2022, 14(3): 4775 doi: 10.1021/acsami.1c23155
[18]	Zhuang Y X, Xie R J. Mechanoluminescence rebrightening the prospects of stress sensing: A review. Adv Mater, 2021, 33(50): 2005925 doi: 10.1002/adma.202005925
[19]	Xu C-N, Watanabe T, Akiyama M, et al. Artificial skin to sense mechanical stress by visible light emission. Appl Phys Lett, 1999, 74(9): 1236-1238 doi: 10.1063/1.123510
[20]	Xu C-N, Watanabe T, Akiyama M, et al. Direct view of stress distribution in solid by mechanoluminescence. Appl Phys Lett, 1999, 74(17): 2414 doi: 10.1063/1.123865
[21]	Wang X D, Zhang H L, Yu R M, et al. Dynamic pressure mapping of personalized handwriting by a flexible sensor matrix based on the mechanoluminescence process. Adv Mater, 2015, 27(14): 2324 doi: 10.1002/adma.201405826
[22]	Wang X D, Que M L, Chen M X, et al. Sensors: Full dynamic-range pressure sensor matrix based on optical and electrical dual-mode sensing (adv. Mater. 15/2017). Adv Mater, 2017, 29(15): adma. 201770105
[23]	Qian X, Cai Z R, Su M, et al. Printable skin-driven mechanoluminescence devices via nanodoped matrix modification. Adv Mater, 2018, 30(25): 1800291 doi: 10.1002/adma.201800291
[24]	Jeong H I, Jung H S, Dubajic M, et al. Super elastic and negative triboelectric polymer matrix for high performance mechanoluminescent platforms. Nat Commun, 2025, 16(1): 854 doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-56007-5
[25]	Pan X, Zhuang Y X, He W, et al. Quantifying the interfacial triboelectricity in inorganic-organic composite mechanoluminescent materials. Nat Commun, 2024, 15: 2673 doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-46900-w
[26]	Wang C, Sun J L, Dong L, et al. Stretchable and transparent electroluminescent device driven by triboelectric nanogenerator. Nano Energy, 2019, 58: 410 doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2019.01.058
[27]	Bai Y Q, Wang F, Zhang L Q, et al. Interfacial triboelectrification-modulated self-recoverable and thermally stable mechanoluminescence in mixed-anion compounds. Nano Energy, 2022, 96: 107075 doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2022.107075
[28]	Cheng H L, Fang S Q, Li Y, et al. Mechano-electro-optical conversion dynamics in mechanoluminescence and its application in remote human–robot interaction. PhotoniX, 2025, 6(1): 50 doi: 10.1186/s43074-025-00210-6
[29]	Li C H, He Q G, Wang Y, et al. Highly robust and soft biohybrid mechanoluminescence for optical signaling and illumination. Nat Commun, 2022, 13: 3914 doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-31705-6
[30]	Mao Y C, Kubota Y, Gong J, et al. Mechanical performance and visual fracture warning function of mechanochromic stimuli-recovery polymer networks. Macromolecules, 2021, 54(18): 8664 doi: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c00904
[31]	Ding ing Y C, So B, Cao J K, et al. Ultrasound-induced mechanoluminescence and optical thermometry toward stimulus-responsive materials with simultaneous trigger response and read-out functions. Adv Sci, 2022, 9(23): 2201631 doi: 10.1002/advs.202201631
[32]	Wang N N, Pu M J, Ma Z D, et al. Control of triboelectricity by mechanoluminescence in ZnS/Mn-containing polymer films. Nano Energy, 2021, 90: 106646 doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106646
[33]	Liu H Z, Shao Y H, Song Z, et al. Mechanoluminescence of ZnS under easily tailored phase transitions. Adv Mater, 2025, 37(45): e11469 doi: 10.1002/adma.202511469

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Received: 09 September 2026 Revised: 22 October 2026 Online: Accepted Manuscript: 13 November 2026

Article Navigation > Journal of Semiconductors > 2026 > Accepted Manuscript

Hui Zhou, Yue Qiu, Yongchao Li, Pei He, Birong Tian, Mang Gao, Guozhang Dai, Xiaowen Xu, Zhaofeng Wang, Junliang Yang. Enhanced vertical mechanoluminescence in ZnS:Cu/PDMS composites via local electric-field and structural-stress regulation[J]. Journal of Semiconductors, 2026, In Press. doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/26090010 ****H Zhou, Y Qiu, Y C Li, P He, B R Tian, M Gao, G Z Dai, X W Xu, Z F Wang, and J L Yang, Enhanced vertical mechanoluminescence in ZnS:Cu/PDMS composites via local electric-field and structural-stress regulation[J]. J. Semicond., 2026, accepted doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/26090010

Citation:

H Zhou, Y Qiu, Y C Li, P He, B R Tian, M Gao, G Z Dai, X W Xu, Z F Wang, and J L Yang, Enhanced vertical mechanoluminescence in ZnS:Cu/PDMS composites via local electric-field and structural-stress regulation[J]. J. Semicond., 2026, accepted doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/26090010

Citation:

PDF( 21374 KB)

Enhanced vertical mechanoluminescence in ZnS:Cu/PDMS composites via local electric-field and structural-stress regulation

DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/26090010

CSTR: 32376.14.1674-4926.26090010

Hui Zhou^{1, 2},
Yue Qiu³,
Yongchao Li^{1, 2},
Pei He³,
Birong Tian^{4, 5},
Mang Gao^{1, 2},
Guozhang Dai^{1, 2},
Xiaowen Xu³,
Zhaofeng Wang^{4, 5},
Junliang Yang^{1, 2, 6,}

1.
Hunan Key Laboratory for Super-microstructure and Ultrafast Process, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
2.
Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Fabrication and Device Manufacturing in Universities of Hunan Province, School of Physics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
3.
School of Electronic Information, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
4.
State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China
5.
Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Green Manufacturing at Yantai, Yantai, Shandong 264006, P. R. China
6.
State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China

More Information

Hui Zhou received his bachelor’s degree from the School of Physical Science and Technology at Lanzhou University in 2017. From 2017 to 2020, he pursued a master’s degree through a joint training program between Lanzhou University and the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. In September 2021, he began pursuing his Ph.D. at the School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University. His research focuses on mechanoluminescent materials and their applications in sensing devices
Junliang Yang is a professor, doctoral supervisor, and vice dean of the School of Physics at Central South University. He received his Ph.D. in 2008 and subsequently conducted research at the University of Warwick, the University of Melbourne, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia before joining Central South University in 2012. His research focuses on flexible printed electronics and optoelectronics, including solar cells, thin-film transistors, and sensors
Corresponding author: junliang.yang@csu.edu.cn
Received Date: 2026-09-09
Revised Date: 2026-10-22

Available Online: 2026-11-13

Abstract

Abstract

ZnS:Cu-based mechanoluminescent (ML) materials have attracted considerable attention for stress visualization and self-powered sensing. However, their weak light emission under vertical compressive loading limits their practical applications. This limitation mainly arises from the weak local electric field and insufficient carrier excitation induced by vertical compressive loading in ZnS:Cu elastomer composites. Here, we report a local-electric-field-assisted strategy to enhance the vertical ML performance of ZnS:Cu/PDMS composites through the synergistic combination of material doping and structural engineering. The incorporation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) optimizes the local electric-field environment and improves stress transfer, resulting in a 9-fold enhancement in ML intensity compared with the undoped composite. In addition, a porous arch-shaped structure is constructed, yielding an approximately 10-fold higher ML intensity than that of the planar ZnS:Cu/PMMA/PDMS composite under the same applied force. Combined finite-element simulations and theoretical analysis confirm that the enhanced ML response originates from the synergistic coupling between local electric-field enhancement and stress-concentration-induced carrier de-trapping. This work provides new insights into the regulation of triboelectrically induced ML through multi-physical-field coupling and offers an effective strategy for designing high-performance ML composites.
- mechanoluminescence,
- ZnS:Cu,
- vertical compression,
- local electric field,
- stress concentration

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