Full-color processible afterglow organic small molecular glass

Abstract

Abstract Organic afterglow materials, known for their unique luminescent properties and diverse applications, have garnered significant attention in recent years. However, developing long-lasting, high-efficiency, full-color afterglow systems and exploring simple materials processing strategies for new applications are still challenging in this field. Herein, we rationally design a processable molecular glass and employ it as a host in a host-guest strategy to address these challenges. By strategically modifying the host via othyl-methylation, we successfully create a molecular glass and capture its temperature-dependent, processable viscous supercooled liquid state. High-efficiency full color from violet to near-infrared afterglow systems with ultralong lifetimes are developed by doping varied structural dopants. The underlying glass-forming and afterglow mechanisms are also clearly elucidated and verified. Moreover, the excellent glass-forming ability of the host and its viscous supercooled liquid enabled the glass system for large-area fabrication, shaping of objects with diverse 3D structures, and creation of flexible, meter-long afterglow fibers. This work offers significant potential for practical applications in advanced textiles, displays, and other fields.