Ultra low-field-emission stretchable electroluminescent devices enabled by a transparent and high-κ dielectric gel

Stretchable displays are the key components for next-generation flexible electronics, playing a critical role in interactive human–machine interfaces. Stretchable alternating current electroluminescent devices, one of the most promising methods for achieving stretchable displays, face challenges such as high driving alternating voltages and frequencies. Herein, we employ a high-k dielectric gel as the emitting matrix, enabling a stretchable electroluminescent device with a turn-on voltage of 13 V (0.19 V µm-1) at 50 Hz and a maximum luminance of 1944.7 cd m-2 at 2.5 V µm-1 with 1 kHz. Moreover, the gel-based devices exhibit a high elongation up to 600%. We further employ fluorescent electrodes to achieve multi-color display of Yellow, Green, and Red without complicated structures. We also assemble a colorful display capable of dynamically exhibiting real-time information. These features highlight the material’s considerable performance and demonstrate its transformative potential for wearable electronics and next-generation flexible displays. Liu et al. report a transparent and high-k dielectric gel blended with ZnS phosphors, enabling stretchable alternating current electroluminescent devices with a peak luminance of 1,944.7 cd m-2 at an applied electric field of 2.5 V µm-1 at 1 kHz. Full-colour wearable displays powered by a 5V-lithium battery are also developed.