AIE-inspired segregation and immobilization strategies for achieving organic room temperature phosphorescence

Organic room temperature phosphorescence (ORTP) has emerged as a powerful photophysical phenomenon with applications in optoelectronics, bioimaging, and anti-counterfeiting technologies. However, the practical realization of efficient RTP in organic systems has long been hindered by challenges such as aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ), nonradiative decay by intramolecular motion, and environmental quenching by oxygen and water. Inspired by the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) mechanism, recent advances have introduced a transformative "segregation and immobilization strategy" to overcome these limitations. This review highlights the principles and emerging roles of spatially isolating luminophores within host-guest systems, crystalline frameworks, and polymer networks, mimicking the restricted intramolecular motion (RIM) of AIE while simultaneously suppressing π-π stacking-caused ACQ and environmental interference. We summarize representative examples which enable RTP materials to have unprecedented quantum yields (up to 99%), long lifetimes (milliseconds to seconds), and broad emission wavelengths (deep blue to near-infrared). Finally, we address current challenges to inspire future research and broader implementation of segregation and immobilization based RTP materials in sustainable photonics and smart technologies.