A Real‐Time Solar UVA Dose Monitor Based on Recyclable Azobenzene‐Containing Elastomer Fabrics

T Tianhao Chen (Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (2011-iChEM), College of Chemistry and Materials) Z Zhefeng Liu (School of Materials Science and Engineering Beihang University No. 37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian Beijing 100191 P. R. China) S Sha. Sha (School of Materials Science and Engineering Beihang University No. 37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian Beijing 100191 P. R. China) R Rui Wang S Siwei Chen Y Yalan Sun (School of Materials Science and Engineering Beihang University No. 37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian Beijing 100191 P. R. China) H Hancong Zheng (School of Materials Science and Engineering Beihang University No. 37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian Beijing 100191 P. R. China) A Aihua Chen

Abstract

Abstract Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a primary cause of skin cancer and erythema, poses irreversible risks to human health, underscoring the urgent need for advanced solar UV detector. Herein, we present a novel intrinsically flexible UVA detector featuring real‐time monitoring, high performance and recyclability. This breakthrough is achieved through engineered oriented composite fabrics combining main‐chain azobenzene‐thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (Az‐TPU) with piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF‐TrFE)] nanogenerators. The molecular architecture employs azobenzene groups and 4,4′‐methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) as hard segment, while polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMG) forms the soft segment. The physical cross‐linking network and homogeneous microphase‐separated structure enables the fabrics to generate substantial internal stress, resulting in superior photoelectrical conversion capabilities. The device we report achieves an 80 ms response time and maintains excellent linear correlation (R 2 = 0.997) across a broad light intensity range (0.05–50 mW·cm −2 ). Remarkably, the fabric achieves dynamic UV light monitoring when subjected to a tensile strain of 10%. Integrated with Bluetooth communication, the device enables real‐time data transmission to mobile devices for continuous UVA intensity and dose monitoring throughout daily sunlight exposure. With demonstrated capability for solar UVA measurement, this technology presents significant industrial potential for wearable solar UV monitoring systems.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 37, Issue 43
Published October 01, 2025
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (8)

T

Tianhao Chen

Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (2011-iChEM), College of Chemistry and Materials

Z

Zhefeng Liu

School of Materials Science and Engineering Beihang University No. 37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian Beijing 100191 P. R. China

S

Sha. Sha

School of Materials Science and Engineering Beihang University No. 37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian Beijing 100191 P. R. China

R

Rui Wang

S

Siwei Chen

Y

Yalan Sun

School of Materials Science and Engineering Beihang University No. 37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian Beijing 100191 P. R. China

H

Hancong Zheng

School of Materials Science and Engineering Beihang University No. 37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian Beijing 100191 P. R. China

A

Aihua Chen