Efficient manipulation of Förster resonance energy transfer through host–guest interaction enables tunable white-light emission and devices in heterotopic bisnanohoops

Abstract

In this study, we synthesized and reported the heterotopic bisnanohoops P5-[8,10]CPPs containing cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs) and a pillar[5]arene unit, which act not only as energy donors but also as a host for binding energy acceptors. We demonstrated that a series of elegant FRET systems could be constructed successfully through self-assembly between donors P5-[8,10]CPPs and acceptors with different emissions via host–guest interaction. These FRET systems further allow us to finely adjust the donors P5-[8,10]CPPs and acceptors (BODIPY-Br and Rh-Br) for achieving multiple color-tunable emissions, particularly white-light emission. More importantly, these host–guest complexes were successfully utilized in the fabrication of white-light fluorescent films and further integrated with a 365 nm LED lamp to create white LED devices. The findings highlight a new application of carbon nanorings in white-light emission materials, beyond the common recognition of π-conjugated molecules.