Innovative preparation of SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ coatings for durable luminescent road markings

The self-illumination and visibility of road markings are crucial in reducing traffic accidents and associated casualties and property damage at night, while also minimizing energy consumption. However, strontium aluminate (SA) (SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+), commonly used in self-illuminating markings, is prone to hydrolysis when exposed to moisture, compromising its ability to store and emit light effectively. To address this issue, this study explored the coating of SA micro-powder with inorganic silicon film, polymer grafted organic silicone film, and composite silicon film to enhance its hydrolysis resistance and durability. The results showed that the proposed coating scheme of composite silicon film (inorganic silicon film + polymer grafted organic silicone film) could effectively improve the durability and organic compatibility of SA, with its hydrolysis resistance improved by about 87.48 %. The coating method combined the advantages of organic and inorganic coatings without losing the properties of the materials, and the resulting silicon film exhibited compact surface morphology and good thermal stability (the mass loss rate was less than 0.5 % at 210 °C). The research results have potential guiding value for socially friendly pavement marking. © 2025 The Authors