Exploring electronic coupling effects in amorphous polymers for multi-color persistent room-temperature phosphorescence

Organic persistent room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) polymers with exceptional processability, flexibility, and reproducibility exhibit great potential in various optoelectronic applications. However, it is still a challenge to achieve full-color RTP. In this study, we present a novel strategy for achieving multi-color phosphorescence in amorphous polymers by controlling the intermolecular electronic coupling among triphenylphosphine salts in a polyvinyl alcohol matrix. Notably, tunable phosphorescence colors ranging from deep blue to red are achieved. Both experimental and theoretical results have demonstrated that the inter-molecular electronic coupling among doping molecules is indeed responsible for wide-range room-temperature phosphorescence color tuning. Furthermore, these polymers have been successfully utilized in multi-color displays, including flexible three-dimensional objects and anti-counter-feiting tags.