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

Abstract

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.