Long-persistent luminescence by host–guest Förster resonance energy transfer

Abstract

In this study, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is harnessed to construct a novel stimulus-responsive long-persistent luminescence (LPL) system. Two organic molecules, DPSD and DPOD, were initially found to have no afterglow under ambient conditions, but exhibited prolonged afterglow upon friction with paper, showing a significantly promoted transition of triplet excited states. Substituting paper with α-cellulose (the main composition of paper) reveals a novel host–guest long afterglow system and allows for a deeper investigation of the above paper-promoted LPL phenomenon. The activation of the LPL effect was achieved by matrixing these components through a grinding process, capitalizing on the efficient FRET from the host to the guest owing to the appropriate energy level match, and the robust intersystem crossing (ISC) capability of the guest. This model presents a new matrix strategy to achieve efficient LPL by a facile, low cost and easy-to-handle process. Furthermore, we successfully implemented anti-counterfeiting, encryption and decryption, decoration, and water/heat stimulus-responsive applications of the obtained materials. These advancements bring LPL materials one step closer to practical commercialization.