Main Group Elements Activated Near‐Infrared Photonic Materials

Abstract Near‐infrared (NIR) photonic materials find extensive applications across important fields such as telecommunications, laser radar, and atmospheric remote sensing. In particular, photonic materials activated by main group elements, which exhibit unique spectral features including ultra‐broadband tunable luminescence and long lifetime, have become rising stars in NIR emitting dopants. In this review, the energy level characteristics of the p ‐electrons to gain insight into the fundamentals of the NIR optical response from the main group elements are first introduced. Next, the NIR luminescence properties of the main group elements are discussed. Then, the strategy for the design of main group elements activated materials with the desired properties based on local chemical environment engineering is proposed. In addition, recent advances in the applications of main group element (excluding bismuth) activated materials are highlighted. Furthermore, the key scientific issues that urgently need to be solved for such materials, such as the detailed luminescence mechanism are highlighted. Anticipation also extends to the future research trends in this exciting field, including the ways for enhancing luminescence efficiency and extending spectral region, and the efforts for implementing these advancements in novel cutting‐edge technologies like photovoltaics and biomedicine.