Researches on preparation and properties of polypropylene nonwovens containing rare earth luminous materials

Polypropylene composite nonwovens containing rare-earth strontium aluminates SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ and functional additives were fabricated by the spun-bonded technique. The optical properties, morphology and mechanical properties of the samples were characterized. Results from scanning electron microscopy photographs (SEM) indicated that the surface of the fiber was destroyed by the addition of rare earth luminescent materials lightly but the thickness of the fiber was uniform. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed that pure polypropylene has the double crystallization peak at 162.3 and 165.1 degrees C. Studies from X-ray diffraction showed that the nonwoven prepared with the luminescent materials contained the alpha-monoclinic crystal and beta crystalline phase. Furthermore, the afterglow properties were tested, which showed that the afterglow curve of the luminous nonwoven was similar to that of strontium aluminate, and the intensity was more intensive than luminous nonwoven at the beginning. The nonwoven fabricated with the luminescent material did not affect the crystal lattice of the polymer making the materials have potential applications in fluorescent lamps and field emission displays (FEDs).