Ultralong afterglow enabled by energy relay from room-temperature phosphorescent matrixes to local dipoles

Abstract Long-persistent afterglows based on organic donor-acceptor systems feature ultra-long duration reaching hours, leading to the advantages in long-time-range display and bio/medical applications. However, the understanding of this optical phenomenon is insufficient. Herein, dibenzothiophene-p...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Chunying Zhang, Guang Lu, Zicheng Wang, Ying Zhao, Yi Man, Jing Zhang, Chunbo Duan, Chunmiao Han, Hui Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60863-6
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Summary:Abstract Long-persistent afterglows based on organic donor-acceptor systems feature ultra-long duration reaching hours, leading to the advantages in long-time-range display and bio/medical applications. However, the understanding of this optical phenomenon is insufficient. Herein, dibenzothiophene-phosphine oxide hybrids named nDBTxPO with different room temperature phosphorescence characteristics are used as acceptor matrixes. It shows that after doping N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) as donor, afterglow intensities and durations of nDBTxPO:1% TMB are strongly correlated to the stabilized triplet state (Tn*) properties of nDBTxPO. Compared to other congeners, high-population and high-lying Tn * state of 28DBTDPO matrix supports the positive and efficient energy transfer to nCT* states of 28DBTDPO-TMB local dipoles in the doped film. This energy relay between two long-persistent Tn * and nCT* states is the key determinant resulting in the longest afterglow of 28DBTDPO:1% TMB. This work provides clear insight into energy transfer for lightly-doping donor-acceptor systems, therefore will promote the accurate system design for practical applications.
ISSN:2041-1723