The hidden chemistry behind glow-in-the-dark art
Some of the world's brightest colors don't just reflect light; they create it. Scientists and museum conservators are now uncovering why these luminous pigments fade and how to preserve them for future generations. The findings could help protect artwork while informing the development of longer-lasting phosphorescent materials for a variety of applications, from fashion runways to airport…
Glow-in-the-dark pigments create visual effects that many artists find intriguing. These materials, unlike fluorescent paints that merely reflect light, absorb and re-emit light to produce vivid glow. Luminous colors find use in fashion, art, and safety signage. However, they fade over time, leading to loss of vibrancy and diminished visual impact.
Photochemist Sarah Schmidtke Sobeck, dean for faculty development at The College of Wooster, and conservation scientist Kimberly Smith from the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields are studying these pigments to understand their degradation processes and improve their longevity. Their research at the upcoming ACS Fall 2026 meeting aims to inform better storage and exhibition conditions for artworks containing phosphorescent pigments.
Initial findings reveal that humidity can significantly accelerate the breakdown of these materials, sometimes more so than prolonged exposure to light. Additionally, researchers discovered that optical brighteners in fluorescent pigments degrade faster than the dye molecules themselves, causing colors to appear darker despite intact dye molecules.
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