Status and challenges of mechanoluminescent materials: from basic research to smart sensing applications

Abstract In recent years, as a kind of functional material that can directly convert mechanical energy into light energy, mechanoluminescent (ML) materials have shown a broad application in the fields of sensing, medical treatment, and information storage. Progress of ML materials are reviewed in this paper, including their luminescence mechanism, classification, developmental history, representative material systems, and application. The luminescence intensity, sensitivity and stability of the materials can be significantly optimized by modulating the matrix composition, doping ions, and synthesis methods. In terms of applications, ML materials have been successfully used in biosensing, healthcare, information storage, smart wearables, and anti-counterfeiting imaging. In the future, with the further improvement of material properties and the integration with artificial intelligence and other technologies, ML materials are expected to realize a wider range of application prospects in areas such as the Internet of Things, smart sensing, and green energy.