Circularly polarized room-temperature phosphorescence based on chiral liquid crystals

Circularly polarized luminescent materials have attracted significant interest due to their enhanced optical features beyond emission wavelength and intensity. Among these, the newly developed circularly polarized room-temperature phosphorescence (CPRTP) materials, which exhibit remarkable characteristics, are of great significance due to their prolonged emission lifetimes and high luminescent quantum yields. These materials mark an exciting new research frontier with promising potential in scientific and technological applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of effective strategies for fabricating CPRTP materials with high luminescent dissymmetry factor (glum) values by using thermotropic chiral liquid crystals (LCs) such as cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs), CLC polymer networks, CLC photonic films, CLC elastomers (CLCEs), chiral smectic LCs, chiral helical columnar LCs, and lyotropic chiral LCs including cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Finally, the applications of the CPRTP materials in anti-counterfeiting and optical waveguides are summarized, followed by a discussion of the ongoing challenges and future opportunity for these materials. The review aims to encourage further advancements in the development of sophisticated CPRTP materials and enhance their potential applications.