Efficient and tunable white-light emission of metal-organic frameworks by iridium-complex encapsulation

Regulating Planarized Intramolecular Charge Transfer for Efficient Single-Phase White-Light Emission in Undoped Metal-Organic Framework Nanocrystals

The technology of combining multiple emission centers to exploit white-light-emitting (WLE) materials by taking advantage of porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is mature, but preparing undoped WLE MOFs remains a challenge. Herein, a pressure-treated strategy is reported to achieve efficient white photoluminescence (PL) in undoped [Zn(Tdc)(py)]n nanocrystals (NCs) at ambient conditions, where the Commission International del'Eclairage coordinates and color temperature reach (0.31, 0.37) and 6560 K, respectively. The initial [Zn(Tdc)(py)]n NCs exhibit weak-blue PL consisting of localized excited (LE) and planarized intramolecular charge transfer (PLICT) states. After pressure treatment, the emission contributions of LE and PLICT states are balanced by increasing the planarization of subunits, thereby producing white PL. Meanwhile, the reduction of nonradiative decay triggered by the planarized structure results in 5-fold PL enhancement. Phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes based on pressure-treated samples show favorable white-light characteristics. The finding provides a new platform for the development of undoped WLE MOFs.

Stable and efficient rare-earth free phosphors based on an Mg(II) metal-organic framework for hybrid light-emitting diodes

Stable and efficient green hybrid light-emitting diodes (HLEDs) were fabricated from a highly emissive Mg(II)-tetraphenyl ethylene derivative metal-organic framework embedded in a polystyrene matrix (Mg-TBC MOF@PS). The photoluminescence quantum yield (ϕ) of the material, >80%, remains constant upon polymer embedment. The resulting HLEDs featured high luminous efficiencies of >50 lm W-1 and long lifetimes of >380 h, making them among the most stable MOF-based HLEDs. The significance of this work relies on the combination of many features, such as the abundance of the metal ion, the straightforward scalability of the synthetic protocol, the great ϕ reached upon phosphor fabrication, and the state-of-the-art HLED performances.

Ligand Meta-Anchoring Strategy in Metal-Organic Frameworks for Remarkable Promotion of Quantum Yields

Aggregation is a conventional method to enhance the quantum yields (QYs) of pure organic luminophores due to the restriction of intramolecular motions (RIM). However, how to realize RIM in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is still unclear and challenging. In this work, the ligand meta-anchoring strategy is first proposed and proved to be an effective and systematic approach to restrict the intramolecular motions of MOFs for the QY improvement. By simply shifting the substituent position in the ligand from para to meta, the QY of the resulting MOF is significantly enhanced by eleven-fold. The value is even higher than that of ligand aggregates, demonstrating the strong RIM effect of this ligand meta-anchoring strategy. The introduction of co-ligand induces the appearance of visible yellow room temperature phosphorescence with a lifetime of 222 ms due to the QY enhancement and the charge transfer between the donor and accepter units. The present work thus broadens the understanding of the RIM mechanism from a new perspective, develops a novel method to realize RIM and expands the applicable objects from pure organic materials to organic-inorganic hybrid materials.

Anthocyanins of Delonix Regia Floral Petals: A Novel Approach on Fluorescence Enhancement, Forster Resonance Energy Transfer Mechanism and Photostability Studies for Optoelectronic Applications

In this work, we focused on extracting the anthocyanin dye in acetone, butanol, ethanol, and water solvents from Delonix regia flowers by a simple maceration extraction process. The identification of functional group analysis, vibrational studies, energy transfer mechanisms, optoelectronic properties, photostability studies, FRET-assisted potential light emissions and photometric properties of the anthocyanin dyes are successively investigated. FTIR spectroscopy and vibrational studies have confirmed the existence of polyphenolic groups in 2-phenyl chromenylium (anthocyanin) dyes. The optoelectronic results show the least direct bandgap (2.04 eV), indirect bandgap (1.55 eV), Urbach energy (0.380 eV), high refractive index (1.20), dielectric constant (2.794), and high optical conductivity (1.954 × 103 S/m) for the anthocyanin dye extracted found in water solvent. The photoluminescence properties such as Stoke's shift, high quantum yield, and lifetime results show that anthocyanin dyes are promising candidates for red-LEDs and optical materials. The absorption and emission spectra of the anthocyanin dyes follow the mirror image rule and the Franck-Condon factor exists between vibrational energy levels corresponding to all the electronic transitions. The excellent correspondence between the absorption and emission spectra reinforces that the anthocyanins are efficient (46%) FRET probes. Further, photometric properties such as CIE, CRI, CCT and colour purity results of anthocyanins in all studied solvents revealed that this material exhibits orange to red shades (x = 0.48 → 0.54 and y = 0.36 →0.45) and is well suitable for have great potential in the manufacturing of Organic-LEDs and other optoelectronic device applications.

Optical Phenomena in Molecule-Based Magnetic Materials

Since the last century, we have witnessed the development of molecular magnetism which deals with magnetic materials based on molecular species, i.e., organic radicals and metal complexes. Among them, the broadest attention was devoted to molecule-based ferro-/ferrimagnets, spin transition materials, including those exploring electron transfer, molecular nanomagnets, such as single-molecule magnets (SMMs), molecular qubits, and stimuli-responsive magnetic materials. Their physical properties open the application horizons in sensors, data storage, spintronics, and quantum computation. It was found that various optical phenomena, such as thermochromism, photoswitching of magnetic and optical characteristics, luminescence, nonlinear optical and chiroptical effects, as well as optical responsivity to external stimuli, can be implemented into molecule-based magnetic materials. Moreover, the fruitful interactions of these optical effects with magnetism in molecule-based materials can provide new physical cross-effects and multifunctionality, enriching the applications in optical, electronic, and magnetic devices. This Review aims to show the scope of optical phenomena generated in molecule-based magnetic materials, including the recent advances in such areas as high-temperature photomagnetism, optical thermometry utilizing SMMs, optical addressability of molecular qubits, magneto-chiral dichroism, and opto-magneto-electric multifunctionality. These findings are discussed in the context of the types of optical phenomena accessible for various classes of molecule-based magnetic materials.

A novel ratiometric sensor for fluorimetric and visual dual-mode detection of Al3+ in environmental water based on the target-regulated formation of Eu MOFs

Herein, a novel ratiometric sensor for fluorimetric and smartphone-assisted visual detection of Al3+ in environmental water was developed based on the target-regulated formation of Eu metal-organic frameworks (Eu MOFs). By employing 2-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazin-1-yl] ethanesulfonic acid (Hepes), Eu3+ and tetracycline (TC) as raw materials, Eu MOFs with red emission were facilely synthesized through the coordination of Eu3+ with Hepes and TC. However, upon the introduction of Al3+, a higher affinity of TC towards Al3+ resulted in the formation of a TC-Al3+ complex with green fluorescence and inhibited the generation of Eu MOFs. This led to an increase in green fluorescence and a decrease in red fluorescence accompanied by the fluorescence color of the solution changing from red to green under the illumination of the UV lamp. Thus, a ratiometric sensor for fluorimetric and the smartphone-assisted visual detection of Al3+ was established. The ratiometric sensor exhibited high sensitivity for Al3+ detection with a detection limit of 0.14 μM for fluorescence detection and 1.21 μM for visual detection. Additionally, the proposed strategy was successfully applied to detect Al3+ in the environmental water samples with satisfactory results, indicating great application prospects for environmental monitoring.

Natural Pigments-Based Two-Component White Light Emitting Systems

In this paper, a new class of two component white light emitting systems viz, JaB (java plum + beetroot) {I}, and CaB (carrot + beetroot) {II} were developed through resonance energy transfer (RET) phenomenon by using a fruit (java plum) and two vegetable (carrot and beetroot) extracts. In these white light emitting systems, java plum and carrot are the donors while beetroot is the acceptor. The primary fluorescent pigments present in the natural extracts (i.e., anthocyanin in java plum, β-carotene in carrot, and betanin in beetroot) were responsible for the white light emission. The CIE (Commission Internationale d'Eclairage) coordinates for I and II were {0.32, 0.34} and {0.33, 0.33}, respectively, in solution phase. Interestingly, the white light emission (WLE) was also achieved in agar-agar gel medium. In gel medium, the CIE values were {0.31, 0.34} and {0.33, 0.32} for I and II, respectively. The donor-acceptor distance (r) for I and II were found to be 0.5 and 0.4 nm, respectively. Furthermore, the rate of energy transfer was also quantified with the values of 2.78 × 109 s-1 for JaB (I) and 1.02 × 108 s-1 for CaB (II) systems. The mechanistic investigation of the two white light systems was further supported by DFT studies.

Hybrid nanospheres of silica covalently containing yellow-emitting cationic iridium(III) complex: preparation and application in white light-emitting diodes

A yellow-emitting cationic iridium(III) complex [(dfppy)2Ir(TBD)]PF6 (TBD: N4,N4'-bis(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)-[2,2'-bipyridine]-4,4'-dicarboxamide; dfppy: 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine) containing hydrolysable alkoxysilanes was synthesized. Then, a series of silica-based hybrid nanospheres with diameters of around 400 nm was prepared via the hydrolysis of this complex together with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS, a silica source). When the amount of the complex used was 5.0 wt%, hybrid nanospheres showed the best photoluminescence (PL) properties, relative to the PL quantum yield of pure solid [(dfppy)2Ir(TBD)]PF6 (12.7%), that of hybrid nanospheres increased to 26.2%. Moreover, the thermal decomposition temperature (Td) of pure solid [(dfppy)2Ir(TBD)]PF6 was 331 °C, the Td of the complex in hybrid nanospheres increased to 447 °C. However, the yellow light emission was almost unchanged and was still located at 500-750 nm with a maximum wavelength (λem,max) of 577 nm. Under the excitation of blue-emitting chips (λem,max ≈ 455 nm), cold/neutral/warm white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) with good luminous quality can all be fabricated using these hybrid nanospheres as phosphors in epoxy resin at different blending concentrations. Compared with two or three iridium(III) complexes being contained in silica-based particles as phosphors as described in literatures, in this study, silica-based hybrid nanospheres covalently containing only one yellow-emitting cationic iridium(III) complex as phosphors provide a more effective and simpler method for preparation high-performance WLEDs.

Design and application of dual-emission metal-organic framework-based ratiometric fluorescence sensors

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are novel inorganic-organic hybridized crystals with a wide range of applications. In the last twenty years, fluorescence sensing based on MOFs has attracted much attention. MOFs can exhibit luminescence from metal nodes, ligands or introduced guests, which provides an excellent fluorescence response in sensing. However, single-signal emitting MOFs are susceptible to interference from concentration, environment, and excitation intensity, resulting in poor accuracy. To overcome the shortcomings, dual-emission MOF-based ratiometric fluorescence sensors have been proposed and rapidly developed. In this review, we first introduce the luminescence mechanisms, synthetic methods, and detection mechanisms of dual-emission MOFs, highlight the strategies for constructing ratiometric fluorescence sensors based on dual-emission MOFs, and classify them into three categories: intrinsic dual-emission and single-emission MOFs with luminescent guests, and non-emission MOFs with other luminescent materials. Then, we summarize the recent advances in dual-emission MOF-based ratiometric fluorescence sensors in various analytical industries. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and prospects for the future development of these sensors.

Turn-off luminescence sensing, white light emission and magnetic studies of two-dimensional lanthanide MOFs

The lanthanide metal organic framework compounds [Ln(BPTA)1.5(Bpy)]·0.5DMF (Ln = Y, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy; 1a-5a) and [Ln(BPTA)1.5(Phen)]·0.5DMF (Ln = Y, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy; 1b-5b) were prepared by employing 2,5-bis(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)terephthalic acid (2,5-BPTA) as the primary ligand and 2,2'-bipyridine (1a-5a) and 1,10-phenanthroline (1b-5b) as the secondary ligands. Single-crystal structural studies on [Gd(BPTA)1.5(Bpy)]·0.5DMF (3a) and [Dy(BPTA)1.5(Phen)]·0.5DMF (5b) indicated that the compounds have a two-dimensional structure. The Y compound exhibits blue emission, and the other compounds exhibit emission in the expected regions (λex = 350 nm). White light emission was achieved by careful mixing of the red (Eu3+) and green (Tb3+) components in the blue emitting Y compound. Thus, Y0.96Tb0.02Eu0.02 (bpy) and Y0.939Tb0.06Eu0.001 (phen) were found to show white emission when excited using a wavelength of 350 nm. The introduction of N-N-containing ancillary ligands (i.e., bpy and phen) increased the overall quantum yield (QY) of white light emission to 31% and 43%, respectively. The high QY observed for the Tb and Eu compounds was found to be sensitive and selective for the fluorometric detection of azinphos-methyl pesticide and trinitrophenol (TNP) in an aqueous medium at the ppb level. The same behaviour was observed when utilising the compounds as onsite paper strip sensors. Their magnetic properties were also studied, revealing for the Tb and Dy derivatives slow relaxation of the magnetisation at low temperature. The present study highlights the usefulness of rigid π-conjugated molecules such as 2,2'-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline in enhancing the many utilities of rare-earth-containing MOFs towards white light emission, the sensing of harmful and dangerous substances and magnetic properties.

Spatially Resolved Organic Whispering-Gallery-Mode Hetero-Microrings for High-Security Photonic Barcodes

Whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) microcavities featuring distinguishable sharp peaks in a broadband exhibit enormous advantages in the field of miniaturized photonic barcodes. However, such kind of barcodes developed hitherto are primarily based on microcavities wherein multiple gain medias were blended into a single matrix, thus resulting in the limited and indistinguishable coding elements. Here, a surface tension assisted heterogeneous assembly strategy is proposed to construct the spatially resolved WGM hetero-microrings with multiple spatial colors along its circular direction. Through precisely regulating the charge-transfer (CT) strength, full-color microrings covering the entire visible range were effectively acquired, which exhibit a series of sharp and recognizable peaks and allow for the effective construction of high-quality photonic barcodes. Notably, the spatially resolved WGM hetero-microrings with multiple coding elements were finally acquired through heterogeneous nucleation and growth controlled by the directional diffusion between the hetero-emulsion droplets, thus remarkably promoting the security strength and coding capacity of the barcodes. The results would be useful to fabricate new types of organic hierarchical hybrid WGM heterostructures for optical information recording and security labels.

Linkages Make a Difference in the Photoluminescence of Covalent Organic Frameworks

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with structural designability and tunability of photophysical properties enable them to be a promising class of organic luminescent materials by incorporating well-designed fluorescent units directly into the periodic skeletons. The photophysical properties of COFs are mainly affected by the structural features, which determine the conjugation degree, charge delocalization ability, and exciton dynamics of COFs. To understand the relationship between COF structures and their photophysical properties, two COFs with the same pyrene chromophore units but different linkages (imine or vinylene) were designed and synthesized. Interestingly, different linkages endow COFs with huge differences in solid-state photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) for imine- and vinylene-linked pyrene-based COFs, which possess PLQY values of 0.34 % and 15.43 %, respectively. The femtosecond-transient absorption spectra and time-dependent density functional theory reveal the different charge-transfer pathways in imine- and vinylene-linked COFs, which influence the exciton relaxation way and fluorescence intensity. In addition, an effective white-light device was obtained by coating the vinylene-linked COF on a light-emitting diode strip.

Synthesis, photoluminescence, Judd-Ofelt analysis, and thermal stability studies of Dy3+-doped BaLa2ZnO5 phosphors for solid-state lighting applications

Here, we report a series of white-emitting Ba(La_2-x Dy _x )ZnO₅ (x = 0-7 mol%) phosphors synthesized via a high-temperature solid-state reaction. The synthesized phosphor's phase purity and tetragonal crystal structure were confirmed by an X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) pattern. The wide bandgap characteristic feature was assessed through reflectance spectra, and the estimated bandgap was found to be 4.70 eV. Besides analyzing the effect of doping on the surface morphology, the distribution of ions on the surface was observed through the secondary ion mass spectroscopy technique. The synthesized phosphor was found to display bluish (486 nm) and yellowish (576 nm) bands in the emission spectra under the excitation of 325 nm and 352 nm, which together are responsible for producing the white luminescence. The analysis of Judd-Ofelt parameters indicates the symmetric nature of Dy³⁺ substitution in the present host. The thermal stability of the phosphor was assessed by varying the temperature up to 403 K, and it was found that the synthesized phosphor possesses improved thermal stability with an activation energy of 0.29 eV. The photometric evaluations of the present phosphor revealed the CIE coordinates around the near-white regime (0.3448, 0.3836), along with the color-correlated temperature value of 5102 K. All research on this luminescent material's unique features points to the possibility of using it to fabricate white-light-emitting devices for solid-state lighting applications.

Preparation and quantitative analysis of multicenter luminescence materials for sensing function

Luminescent sensing materials are attractive for environmental analysis due to their potential for high selectivity, excellent sensitivity and rapid (even instantaneous) response towards targeted analytes in diverse sample matrices. Many types of analytes have been detected in samples of wastewater for environmental protection, reagents and products in industrial production of drugs and pesticides, and biological markers in blood and urine for early diagnosis. It is still challenging, however, to develop appropriate materials with optimal sensing function for a targeted analyte. Here we synthesize metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) bearing multiple luminescent centers, such as metal cations (for example, Eu3+ and Tb3+), organic ligands and guests, which are chosen for optimal selectivity for the analytes of interest, including industrial synthetic intermediates and chiral drugs. Interaction between the metal node, ligand, guest and analyte results in a complex system with different luminescence properties compared with the porous MOF on its own. The operation time for the synthesis is usually less than 4 h; the quick screening for sensitivity and selectivity takes ~0.5 h and includes steps to optimize the energy levels and spectrum parameters. It can be used to accelerate the discovery of advanced sensing materials for practical applications.

Luminescent Guests Encapsulated in Metal-Organic Frameworks for Portable Fluorescence Sensor and Visual Detection Applications: A Review

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have excellent applicability in several fields and have significant structural advantages, due to their open pore structure, high porosity, large specific surface area, and easily modifiable and functionalized porous surface. In addition, a variety of luminescent guest (LG) species can be encapsulated in the pores of MOFs, giving MOFs a broader luminescent capability. The applications of a variety of LG@MOF sensors, constructed by doping MOFs with LGs such as lanthanide ions, carbon quantum dots, luminescent complexes, organic dyes, and metal nanoclusters, for fluorescence detection of various target analyses such as ions, biomarkers, pesticides, and preservatives are systematically introduced in this review. The development of these sensors for portable visual fluorescence sensing applications is then covered. Finally, the challenges that these sectors currently face, as well as the potential for future growth, are briefly discussed.

Introduction of Multicomponent Dyes into 2D MOFs: A Strategy to Fabricate White Light-Emitting MOF Composite Nanosheets

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been extensively studied in host-guest chemistry by means of ultrahigh porosities, tunable channels, and component diversities. As the host matrix, MOFs exhibit immense potential in the preparation of single-phase white light-emitting (SPWLE) materials. Nonetheless, it is a great challenge that the size of the introduced guest molecules is limited by MOF pores, which affects the WLE optimization. In this work, two-dimensional (2D) MOFs are first utilized as the host matrices to simultaneously encapsulate red-green-blue fluorescent dyes for SPWLE. Various dyes@2D MOF composites with high-quality WLE performances and ultrathin nanosheet morphologies are directly assembled from 2D MOF precursors and dyes in high yields. Owing to the flexible interlamellar space of 2D MOFs, different types and sizes of guests can be easily introduced, which greatly expands the range of available MOF hosts and guests, making the WLE much more tunable. The strategy of employing 2D MOFs as the host matrices to introduce multicomponent dyes for SPWLE nanosheets resolves the restriction of MOF pores on the guest molecule size and opens a new avenue to rationally design and prepare SPWLE nanosheets that are highly solution-processable.

Multi-emitter metal-organic frameworks as ratiometric luminescent sensors for food contamination and spoilage detection

Food contamination and spoilage is a worldwide concern considering its adverse effect on public health and food security. Real time monitoring food quality can reduce the risk of foodborne disease to consumers. Particularly, the emergence of multi-emitter luminescent metal-organic frameworks (LMOFs) as ratiometric sensory materials has provided the possibility for food quality and safety detection with high sensitivity and selectivity taking advantage of specific host-guest interactions, pre-concentrating and molecule-sieving effects of MOFs. Furthermore, the excellent sensing performance of multi-emitter MOF-based ratiometric sensors including self-calibration, multi-dimensional recognition and visual signal readout is able to meet the increasing rigor requirement of food safety evaluation. Multi-emitter MOF-based ratiometric sensors have become the focus of food safety detection. This review focuses on design strategies for different multiple emission sources assembly to construct multi-emitter MOFs materials based on at least two emitting centers. The design strategies for creating multi-emitter MOFs can be mainly classified into three categories: (1) multiple emission building blocks assembly in a single MOF phase; (2) single non-luminescent MOF or LMOF phase as a matrix for chromophore guest(s); (3) heterostructured hybrids of LMOF with other luminescent materials. In addition, the sensing signal output modes of multi-emitter MOF-based ratiometric sensors have critically discussed. Next, we highlight the recent progress for the development of multi-emitter MOF as ratiometric sensors in food contamination and spoilage detection. Their future improvement and advancing direction potential for their practical application is finally discussed.

Encapsulating Organic Dyes in Metal-Organic Frameworks for Color-Tunable and High-Efficiency White-Light-Emitting Properties

The design of white-light phosphor is highly desirable for practical applications in SSL (solid-state lighting) and its related fields. Dye-loaded metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been widely demonstrated as one type of promising down conversion materials for WLEDs (white-light-emitting diodes), but two issues (dye leakage and inadequate quantum efficiency) require to be addressed before possible applications. Here, a series of single-phase dyes@In-MOF phosphors have been prepared in two different ways: the in-situ process and soaking method. The study of these dyes@In-MOF phosphors confirms the importance of this in-situ process that could effectively increase dye loading and quantum efficiency and greatly decrease dye leakage. As a result, a perfect WLED, fabricated using the in-situ-synthesized (AF/RhB@In-MOF)-3 (AF: Acriflavine; RhB: Rhodamine B) and 450 nm blue LED chip, exhibited a very high quantum yield (QY, up to 42.27%), a high luminous efficacy (LE) of 50.75 lm/W, a high color rendering index (CRI) of 91.2, and nearly identical Commission International ed'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates (0.33,0.31), indicating the potential application of the dye-loaded MOFs with good color quality in smart white LEDs.

Recent research progress in CDs@MOFs composites: fabrication, property modulation, and application

Carbon dots (CDs) have exhibited a promising application prospect in many fields because of their good fluorescence properties, biocompatibility, low toxicity, and easy functionalization. In order to improve their photoelectricity and stability, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can be used as host materials to provide ideal carriers for CDs to realize the multifunctional composites of CDs and MOFs (CDs@MOFs). At present, CDs@MOFs composites have shown tremendous application potential because they have various advantages of both CDs and MOFs. In this review, the synthesis methods of CDs@MOFs composites are firstly introduced. Then, the influence of the synergy between CDs and MOFs on the regulation of their structures and optical properties is highlighted. Furthermore, the recent application researches of CDs@MOFs composites in fluorescent probes, solid-state lighting, and photoelectrocatalysis are generalized. Finally, the critical issues, challenges, and solutions on their structure and property regulation and application are put forward, and their commercialization direction is also prospected.

Ionic metal-organic frameworks (iMOFs): progress and prospects as ionic functional materials

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been a research hotspot for the last two decades, witnessing an extraordinary upsurge across various domains in materials chemistry. Ionic MOFs (both anionic and cationic MOFs) have emerged as next-generation ionic functional materials and are an important subclass of MOFs owing to their ability to generate strong electrostatic interactions between their charged framework and guest molecules. Furthermore, the presence of extra-framework counter-ions in their confined nanospaces can serve as additional functionality in these materials, which endows them a significant advantage in specific host-guest interactions and ion-exchange-based applications. In the present review, we summarize the progress and future prospects of iMOFs both in terms of fundamental developments and potential applications. Furthermore, the design principles of ionic MOFs and their state-of-the-art ion exchange performances are discussed in detail and the future perspectives of these promising ionic materials are proposed.

Excitation-Dependent Tunable White Light of ns2 Ions Doped Rb2SnCl6 Vacancy Ordered Double Perovskite

Single-matrix white light-emitting diodes are still a challenge. Achieving tunable white light emission from lead-free perovskites attracts much attention. Herein, nanoscale Rb₂SnCl₆ (RSC) vacancy ordered double perovskite were synthesized by an optimized precipitation method. Further, using ns² ions (Bi³⁺, Te⁴⁺, and Sb³⁺) doped RSC vacancy ordered double perovskite to obtain broadband blue, yellow-green, and orange-red emission. The color temperature adjustable high-quality white light emission based on the codoping strategy is obtained by controlling the doping ratio of Bi³⁺ and Te⁴⁺. Additionally, the white light-emitting diodes encapsulated by this single matrix white luminescent material exhibit excellent stability. Combined with theoretical calculations, it is elucidated that these high-efficiency emissions are not only derived from the unique electronic transition of ns² ions but also related to the energy band properties and the crystal field. This work shows that ns² ions doped RSC vacancy ordered double perovskite can meet the needs of different luminous colors and color temperature tunable white light emission. Meanwhile, it is a strong competitor to replace the lead-based perovskite.

Complexing Eu3+/Tb3+ in a Nanoscale Postmodified Zr-MOF toward Temperature-Modulated Multispectrum Chromism

In recent years, extensive research has been directed toward the successful preparation of nanoscale luminescent thermometers with high sensitivities operative in a broad temperature range. To achieve this goal, we have devised a unique design and facile multistep synthesis of Zr-ctpy-NMOF@Tb_xEu_y compounds by confining Ln-complexes (Ln = Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺) into a robust nanoscale Zr-NMOF (MOF-808) via postsynthetic modification. Covalent grafting of 4-(4'-carboxyphenyl)-2,2':6,2″terpyridine ligand (ctpy) with a high triplet state energy and corresponding immobilization of bimetallic Ln³⁺ ions resulted in yellow light-emitting Zr-ctpy-NMOF@Tb_1.66Eu_0.14 to achieve a sensitivity of 5.2% K^-1 (thermal uncertainty dT < 1 K) operative over a broad temperature range of 25-400 K. To defeat the odds related to the detection of minute temperature changes using luminescent materials, we prepared a white light-emitting Zr-ctpy-NMOF@Tb_1.4Eu_0.31 that showed temperature-modulated multispectrum chromism where the color drastically changes from green (at 25 K, Q.Y.: 20.21%) to yellowish-green (at 200 K, Q.Y.: 23.13%) to white (at 300 K, Q.Y.: 26.4%) to orange (at 350 K, Q.Y.: 26.93%) and finally red (at 400 K, Q.Y.: 28.2%) with a high energy transfer efficiency of 49.8%, which is further supported by electron-phonon coupling.

Post-complexation Functionalization of Cyclometalated Iridium(III) Complexes and Applications to Biomedical and Material Sciences

Cyclometalated iridium(III) (Ir(III)) complexes exhibit excellent photophysical properties that include large Stokes shift, high emission quantum yields, and microsecond-order emission lifetimes, due to low-lying metal-to-ligand charge transfer (spin-forbidden singlet-triplet (³MLCT) transition). As a result, analogs have been applied for research not only in the material sciences, such as the development of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), but also for photocatalysts, bioimaging probes, and anticancer reagents. Although a variety of methods for the synthesis and the applications of functionalized cyclometalated iridium complexes have been reported, functional groups are generally introduced to the ligands prior to the complexation with Ir salts. Therefore, it is difficult to introduce thermally unstable functional groups such as peptides and sugars due to the harsh reaction conditions such as the high temperatures used in the complexation with Ir salts. In this review, the functionalization of Ir complexes after the formation of cyclometalated Ir complexes and their biological and material applications are described. These methods are referred to as "post-complexation functionalization (PCF)." In this review, applications of PCF to the design and synthesis of Ir(III) complexes that exhibit blue -red and white color emissions, luminescence pH probes, luminescent probes of cancer cells, compounds that induce cell death in cancer cells, and luminescent complexes that have long emission lifetimes are summarized.

Mixed-Metal and Mixed-Ligand Lanthanide Metal-Organic Frameworks Based on 2,6-Naphthalenedicarboxylate: Thermally Activated Sensitization and White-Light Emission

Trivalent lanthanide ions (Ln³⁺) hold an exceptional position in the field of optoelectronic materials due to their atomic-like emission spectra and long luminescence lifetimes. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and coordination polymers are particularly suited as luminescent materials due to their structural diversity and ease of functionalization both at bridging ligands and/or metal centers. In this contribution, we present a series of mixed-metal Ln³⁺/Eu³⁺ (Ln = La, Gd) and mixed-ligand (2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate (ndc^2-) and 4-aminonaphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylate (andc^2-)) MOFs belonging to three different structural types, with emissions spanning most of the visible region, thereby constituting favorable materials for color tuning and white-light emission. We investigate the thermal stability and photophysical properties of the synthesized materials with regard to their metal and ligand doping levels and structural type, where we discuss excimer and monomer emission. The photophysical study, involving both steady-state and time-resolved luminescence measurements, allows us to discuss the possible energy migration and Eu³⁺ sensitization pathways that take place within these materials following ligand excitation. Low-temperature luminescence studies led us to determine the energies of the ligand-based excited states and investigate their participation in thermally activated energy transfer mechanisms within the studied lattices. We observe emission quantum yields of up to 87% for the Eu³⁺-doped materials, while their ligand- and metal-doped counterparts show decreased quantum yields of up to 17%. Finally, we attempt fine color tuning by carefully adjusting the doping levels to achieve yellow and white-light emission.

Achieving gas pressure-dependent luminescence from an AIEgen-based metal-organic framework

Materials exhibiting aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behaviour enable strong emission in solid state and can respond to various external stimuli, which may facilitate the development of materials for optical sensing, bioimaging or optoelectronic devices. Herein, we use an AIE luminogen 2’,5’-diphenyl-[1,1’:4’,1”-terphenyl]-4,4”-dicarboxylic acid as the ligand to prepare an AIEgen-based MOF (metal-organic framework) named FJI-H31. FJI-H31 exhibits bright luminescence under ambient conditions (under air and at room temperature), but almost no emission is observed under vacuum. Our investigation shows that the emission intensity displays a smooth and reversible enhancement with increased gas pressure, which may be attributed to the restriction of intramolecular motion brought by structural deformation under pressure stimulus. Unlike most pressure-responsive MOFs, the luminescence reverts to its original state once gas pressure recovers. By virtue of its unique optical properties, a luminescent MOF with sensing ability of gas-pressure is realized.

Compounds displaying aggregation-induced emission behavior may have application in the preparation of smart materials. Here, the authors report a luminogen-containing metal-organic framework for which luminescence intensity changes are observed in response to gas pressure.

Confinement of Luminescent Guests in Metal–Organic Frameworks: Understanding Pathways from Synthesis and Multimodal Characterization to Potential Applications of LG@MOF Systems

This review gives an authoritative, critical, and accessible overview of an emergent class of fluorescent materials termed “LG@MOF”, engineered from the nanoscale confinement of luminescent guests (LG) in a metal–organic framework (MOF) host, realizing a myriad of unconventional materials with fascinating photophysical and photochemical properties. We begin by summarizing the synthetic methodologies and design guidelines for representative LG@MOF systems, where the major types of fluorescent guest encompass organic dyes, metal ions, metal complexes, metal nanoclusters, quantum dots, and hybrid perovskites. Subsequently, we discuss the methods for characterizing the resultant guest–host structures, guest loading, photophysical properties, and review local-scale techniques recently employed to elucidate guest positions. A special emphasis is paid to the pros and cons of the various methods in the context of LG@MOF. In the following section, we provide a brief tutorial on the basic guest–host phenomena, focusing on the excited state events and nanoscale confinement effects underpinning the exceptional behavior of LG@MOF systems. The review finally culminates in the most striking applications of LG@MOF materials, particularly the “turn-on” type fluorochromic chemo- and mechano-sensors, noninvasive thermometry and optical pH sensors, electroluminescence, and innovative security devices. This review offers a comprehensive coverage of general interest to the multidisciplinary materials community to stimulate frontier research in the vibrant sector of light-emitting MOF composite systems.

2D Covalent Organic Frameworks: From Synthetic Strategies to Advanced Optical-Electrical-Magnetic Functionalities

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), an emerging class of organic crystalline polymers with highly oriented structures and permanent porosity, can adopt 2D or 3D architectures depending on the different topological diagrams of the monomers. Notably, 2D COFs have particularly gained much attention due to the extraordinary merits of their extended in-plane π-conjugation and topologically ordered columnar π-arrays. These properties together with high crystallinity, large surface area, and tunable porosity distinguish 2D COFs as an ideal candidate for the fabrication of functional materials. Herein, this review surveys the recent research advances in 2D COFs with special emphasis on the preparation of 2D COF powders, single crystals, and thin films, as well as their advanced optical, electrical, and magnetic functionalities. Some challenging issues and potential research outlook for 2D COFs are also provided for promoting their development in terms of structure, synthesis, and functionalities.

Multi-Emission from Single Metal-Organic Frameworks under Single Excitation

Multi-emission materials have come to prominent attention ascribed to their extended applications other than single-emission ones. General and robust design strategies of a single matrix with multi-emission under single excitation are urgently required. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous materials prepared with organic ligands and metal nodes. The variety of metal nodes and ligands makes MOFs with great superiority as multi-emission matrices. Guest species encapsulated into the channels or pores of MOFs are the additional emission sites for multi-emission. In this review, multi-emission MOFs according to the different excitation sites are summarized and classified. The emission mechanisms are discussed, such as antenna effect, excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and tautomerism for dual-emission. The factors that affect the emissions are revealed, including ligand-metal energy transfer and host-guest interaction, etc. Multi-emission MOFs could be predictably designed and prepared, once the emissive factors are controlled rationally in combination with the different multi-emission mechanisms. Correspondingly, new and practical applications are realized, including but not limited to ratiometric/multi-target sensing and bioimaging, white light-emitting diodes, and anti-counterfeiting. The design strategies of multi-emission MOFs and their extensive applications are reviewed. The results will shed light on other multi-emission systems to develop the structure-derived functionality and applications.

A biological luminescent metal-organic framework with high fluorescence quantum yield for the selective detection of amino acids and monosaccharides

The biological luminescent metal-organic framework (bio-LMOF), (Me2NH2)2[Zn6O(Ade)4(TCPPE)2] (1) {H4TCPPE = tetrakis[4-(4-carboxyphenyl)phenyl]ethene, Ade = adenine} was successfully designed and synthesized under hydrothermal conditions, with two channels of different sizes. The absolute fluorescence quantum yields of complex 1 and activated 1 are up to 77.6% and 85.9%, respectively. Activated 1 exhibits outstanding water stability and excellent selective luminescence sensing for amino acids and monosaccharides. The fluorescence quenching efficiencies of activated 1 towards L-Nph and D-Nga are 86.35% and 91.60%, respectively. Besides, activated 1 also displays highly quenching responses to L-Nph and D-Nga at fairly low concentrations, and the limits of detection for L-Nph and D-Nga are estimated to be 0.149 ppm and 1.612 ppm, respectively. Meanwhile, in multiple cycling experiments, activated 1 still has excellent cycling stability. These phenomena indicate that activated 1 can be utilized as a fast responsive biological luminescent sensor, which is a rare example for bio-LMOFs.

Luminescent MOFs (LMOFs): Recent Advancement Towards a Greener WLED Technology

The replacement of the traditional incandescent, halogen and fluorescent lamps by white light emitting diodes (WLEDs) is expected to reduce the global electricity consumption by one-third by 2030, according to...

Construction of multi-hydroxyl/ketone lanthanide metal–organic frameworks for understanding mechanochromic luminescence and high proton conductivity

[Zr16-BPDC-Eu1−xTbx] is the first type of lanthanide metal–organic framework with mechanochromic luminescence characteristics. [Zr16-Eu] shows extremely high proton conductivity due to the multi-hydroxyl/ketone functional group.

Full-Color Emission in Multicomponent Metal-Organic Frameworks via Linker Installation

Herein, we demonstrate that linker installation (LI) through postsynthesis is an effective strategy to insert emissive second linkers into single-linker-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to tune the emission properties of multicomponent MOFs. Full-color emission, including white-light emission, can be achieved via such a LI process.

Three Robust Blue-Emitting Anionic Metal-Organic Frameworks with High Stability and Good Proton Conductivities

Three anionic luminescent metal-organic frameworks (LMOFs; [M(tcbpe)(CH₃)₂NH₂]·H₂O; M = In³⁺, Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺; tcbpe = 4',4‴,4‴″,4‴‴'-(ethene-1,1,2,2-tetrayl)tetrakis[(1,1'-biphenyl)-4-carboxylic acid]) are synthesized by employing the tetraphenylethene core ligand H₄tcbpe with M³⁺ ions. They stack in the similarly 4-fold-interpenetrated three-dimensional porous structure. All give blue emission when excited at 365 nm, with fluorescence quantum yields of 34.8% (MOF-In), 7.1% (MOF-Eu), and 28.1% (MOF-Gd). Somewhat surprisingly, these three complexes are extremely stable both in various solvents and across a broad pH range: MOF-In is stable between pH = 0 and 14, and MOF-Eu and MOF-Gd are stable between pH = 0 and 13. Additionally, they also show good proton conductivities of 2.29 × 10^-5 S·cm^-1 (MOF-In), 2.02 × 10^-4 S·cm^-1 (MOF-Eu), and 1.24 × 10^-4 S·cm^-1 (MOF-Gd) at high temperature under 98% relative humidity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported LMOF series combining aggregation-induced emission behavior with good proton conductivities.

Femtosecond laser induced in-situ crystallization of Tb-based luminescent metal organic framework

Luminescent metal-organic frameworks (LMOFs) are a class of interesting and well-investigated MOF materials, which have shown remarkable prospects in the past and have been widely applied in different fields. However, due to their organic hybrid aspect, micro-/nano-patterning LMOFs in devices via a conventional semiconductor process is very challenging. In this work, we have introduced an elegant technique via nonlinear photon-chemical effect to induce the synthesis and growth of LMOFs. A facile technique for local synthesis and micro-pattering Tb-based luminescent metal organic frameworks (Tb(BTC)·G) from a solution of precursors is achieved. A single step approach micro-patterning for device integration with simultaneous chemical synthesis was proposed. Micro-devices with excellent fluorescence performance based on Tb(BTC)·G have been demonstrated. This work first suggested a high resolution bottom-up micro-patterning technique for MOF device fabrication using femtosecond laser direct writing, showing great potential on MOF based micro/nano-devices integration, especially promising for patterning high resolution luminescent MOF devices.

Luminescent Metal-Phenolic Networks for Multicolor Particle Labeling

The development of fluorescence labeling techniques has attracted widespread interest in various fields, including biomedical science as it can facilitate high-resolution imaging and the spatiotemporal understanding of various biological processes. We report a supramolecular fluorescence labeling strategy using luminescent metal-phenolic networks (MPNs) constructed from metal ions, phenolic ligands, and common and commercially available dyes. The rapid labeling process (<5 min) produces ultrathin coatings (≈10 nm) on diverse particles (e.g., organic, inorganic, and biological entities) with customized luminescence (e.g., red, blue, multichromatic, and white light) simply through the selection of fluorophores. The fluorescent coatings are stable at pH values from 1 to 8 and in complex biological media owing to the dominant π interactions between the dyes and MPNs. These coatings exhibit negligible cytotoxicity and their strong fluorescence is retained even when internalized into intracellular compartments. This strategy is expected to provide a versatile approach for fluorescence labeling with potential in diverse fields across the physical and life sciences.