Solid-State Photochemical Cascade Process Boosting Smart Ultralong Room-Temperature Phosphorescence in Bismuth...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Photochemistry
• Solid-State Physics

Background:

• Molecular ultralong room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) is crucial for advanced applications like sensors and information security.
• Stimuli-responsive materials offer tunable properties for smart devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design a stepwise smart RTP switch using photochemical cascade processes (PCCPs) in molecular crystals.
• To explore the potential of bismuth (Bi)-based metal-organic halides (MOHs) for controlled RTP.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing sequential dynamics of photo-burst movement via [2+2] photocycloaddition.
• Harnessing photochromism induced by photogenerated radicals in Bi-based MOHs.
• Implementing solid-state PCCPs integrating photosalient effect and photochromism.

Main Results:

• Achieved continuous and photo-responsive ultralong RTP in a Bi-based MOH.
• Demonstrated multi-mode anti-counterfeiting and information encryption capabilities.
• Established light-chemical-mechanical energy conversion in solid-state PCCPs.

Conclusions:

• This work provides a proof-of-concept for solid-state PCCPs with tunable ultralong RTP.
• The findings lay the groundwork for designing new Bi-based MOHs with dynamic RTP properties.
• The developed material shows promise for next-generation smart devices and security applications.