Abstract: Luminescence lifetime is a crucial concept in photochemistry, serving as a significant parameter that characterizes the properties of luminescent materials. Despite the widespread applications of luminescent materials in various fields such as human production, military, aerospace, the general public often lacks a clear understanding of the scientific notion that “Luminescence lifetime can vary”. This project takes everyday light as a starting point and utilizes long afterglow materials with human-recognizable lifetimes (> 100 ms) as a medium of demonstration. By investigating the self-assembly of melamine and phthalic acid in an aqueous medium, a class of organic long afterglow materials with extended lifetimes and high brightness is designed and synthesized. The simplicity of the synthesis method, cost-effectiveness of raw materials, clear experimental phenomena, and high reproducibility make it an ideal theme for science popularization. Additionally, the project explores luminescence phenomena in daily life, introducing innovative and engaging modes of science communication such as original animations and “afterglow graffiti”. By leveraging platforms like Bilibili and TikTok, the outreach of chemical knowledge is broadened. The science popularization content includes several independent interactive modules tailored to the characteristics and needs of different audience groups, aiming for broad coverage and high acceptance. This approach ensures that luminescence lifetime becomes intimately connected with everyday life and reaches a wide audience.

Key words: Luminescence phenomenon, Luminescence lifetime, Long afterglow, Self-assembly, Multilevel science popularization