Functional Persistent Luminescent Thin Films and Glasses: Materials, Processing, and Future Challenges

ABSTRACT Persistent luminescence (PersL) attracts growing attention due to its potential for energy‐efficient optical storage, sensing, and imaging technologies. Although extensively investigated in bulk and powder forms, its translation into transparent and functional thin films or glassy systems remains a major challenge. This review discusses the state of the art in the development of persistent luminescent thin films and glasses, emphasizing processing strategies, structure‐property correlations, and emerging device‐level applications. The mechanisms governing PersL are briefly described. This is followed by an analysis of thin‐film growth techniques, including chemical, physical, and hybrid routes, and highlighting their influence on defect engineering, dopant distribution, and luminescence performance. The discussion integrates advances on polymeric and glass matrices, where control over morphology and interfaces is essential to achieve optical transparency and environmental stability. This review also aims to present opportunities for studying and developing new materials through thin‐film fabrication techniques that contribute to the creation of devices beneficial to society, the environment, and energy. Current limitations and future directions are discussed focusing on trap modulation, compositional design, and scalable fabrication toward next‐generation photonic and optoelectronic devices.