Volume 63, Issue 24 e202403827
Research Article

Near-Infrared Emission Beyond 900 nm from Stable Radicals in Nonconjugated Poly(diphenylmethane)

Ziteng Zhang

Ziteng Zhang

Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

State Key Laboratory of Motor Vehicle Biofuel Technology, International Research Center for X Polymers, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

Zhejiang-Israel Joint Laboratory of Self-Assembling Functional Materials, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311215 China

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Zuping Xiong

Zuping Xiong

Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

Zhejiang-Israel Joint Laboratory of Self-Assembling Functional Materials, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311215 China

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Dr. Jianyu Zhang

Dr. Jianyu Zhang

Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction and Institute for Advanced Study, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, 999077 China

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Bo Chu

Bo Chu

Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

State Key Laboratory of Motor Vehicle Biofuel Technology, International Research Center for X Polymers, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

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Xiong Liu

Xiong Liu

Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

State Key Laboratory of Motor Vehicle Biofuel Technology, International Research Center for X Polymers, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

Zhejiang-Israel Joint Laboratory of Self-Assembling Functional Materials, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311215 China

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Weihao Tu

Weihao Tu

Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

Zhejiang-Israel Joint Laboratory of Self-Assembling Functional Materials, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311215 China

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Dr. Lei Wang

Dr. Lei Wang

Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

Zhejiang-Israel Joint Laboratory of Self-Assembling Functional Materials, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311215 China

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Prof. Jing Zhi Sun

Prof. Jing Zhi Sun

Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

Centre of Healthcare Materials, Shaoxing Institute, Zhejiang University, Shaoxing, 312000 China

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Prof. Chengjian Zhang

Prof. Chengjian Zhang

Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

State Key Laboratory of Motor Vehicle Biofuel Technology, International Research Center for X Polymers, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

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Prof. Haoke Zhang

Corresponding Author

Prof. Haoke Zhang

Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

Zhejiang-Israel Joint Laboratory of Self-Assembling Functional Materials, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311215 China

Centre of Healthcare Materials, Shaoxing Institute, Zhejiang University, Shaoxing, 312000 China

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Prof. Xinghong Zhang

Corresponding Author

Prof. Xinghong Zhang

Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

State Key Laboratory of Motor Vehicle Biofuel Technology, International Research Center for X Polymers, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

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Prof. Ben Zhong Tang

Corresponding Author

Prof. Ben Zhong Tang

Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China

Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction and Institute for Advanced Study, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, 999077 China

School of Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Aggregate Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172 China

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First published: 08 April 2024
Citations: 10

Graphical Abstract

Full-spectrum emission, spanning from blue to near-infrared (beyond 900 nm), is attainable in poly(diphenylmethane) through adjustments in both concentration and excitation wavelength, which is attributed to the formation of stable radicals within the polymer and through-space conjugation. This study not only confirms the efficacy of polymerization in stabilizing radicals but also introduces a pioneering method for producing nonconjugated near-infrared emitters.

Abstract

Organic radicals with narrow energy gaps are highly sought-after for the production of near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores. However, the current repertoire of developed organic radicals is notably limited, facing challenges related to stability and low fluorescence efficiency. This study addresses these limitations by achieving stable radicals in nonconjugated poly(diphenylmethane) (PDPM). Notably, PDPM exhibits a well-balanced structural flexibility and rigidity, resulting in a robust intra-/inter-chain through-space conjugation (TSC). The stable radicals within PDPM, coupled with strong TSC, yield a remarkable full-spectrum emission spanning from blue to NIR beyond 900 nm. This extensive tunability is achieved through careful adjustments of concentration and excitation wavelength. The findings highlight the efficacy of polymerization in stabilizing radicals and introduce a novel approach for developing nonconjugated NIR emitters based on triphenylmethane subunits.

Conflict of interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available in the Supporting Information of this article.

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