An ultrawide-range photochromic molecular fluorescence emitter

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Photochemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Intelligent luminescent materials require photocontrollable molecular switches for tunable emission.
• Achieving wide emission wavelength transformation within a single molecular system forming nanostructures remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a π-expanded photochromic molecular photoswitch with enhanced luminescence and wavelength-tuning capabilities.
• To integrate good luminescence properties with a wide range of emission color variation in a single molecular system.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a π-expanded photochromic molecular photoswitch.
• Modulation of self-assembly and intramolecular charge transfer mechanisms.
• Utilizing photocontrol for emission color tuning.

Main Results:

• Achieved wide emission wavelength variation (240 nm range, 400-640 nm).
• Demonstrated high photoisomerization extent (95%) and pure emission color (<100 nm FWHM).
• Realized full color emission via simple photocontrol.

Conclusions:

• The developed photoswitch offers comprehensive achievements in luminescence and color tuning.
• Applications include photoactivated anti-counterfeiting and self-erasing photowriting films.
• Provides insights into designing advanced intelligent optical materials.