Volume 64, Issue 28 e202507802

Research Article

Intrinsically Luminescent Nematic Liquid Crystals Enabling High-Brightness Full-Color and White Circularly Polarized Luminescence via Chiral Coassembly

Zhen-Xing Yu

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China

Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819 China

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Prof. Xu-Wei Chen,

Prof. Xu-Wei Chen

Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819 China

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Prof. Chuan-Feng Chen,

Corresponding Author

Prof. Chuan-Feng Chen

[email protected]

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China

University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100084 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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Dr. Meng Li,

Corresponding Author

Dr. Meng Li

[email protected]

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China

University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100084 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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Zhen-Xing Yu,

Zhen-Xing Yu

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China

Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819 China

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Prof. Xu-Wei Chen,

Prof. Xu-Wei Chen

Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819 China

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Prof. Chuan-Feng Chen,

Corresponding Author

Prof. Chuan-Feng Chen

[email protected]

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China

University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100084 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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Dr. Meng Li,

Corresponding Author

Dr. Meng Li

[email protected]

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China

University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100084 China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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First published: 02 May 2025

https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202507802

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Graphical Abstract

A novel class of luminescent nematic liquid crystals (N-LCs) exhibiting full-color emission was developed. Through coassembly with chiral dopants, these N-LCs enabled the fabrication of high-brightness full-color and white circularly polarized luminescent (CPL) films with simultaneously enhanced g_lum (up to 0.75) and photoluminescence quantum yield (up to 71%), representing the best performance to date among all intrinsically luminescent CPL materials.

Abstract

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials with simultaneous high dissymmetry factor (g_lum) and brightness are pivotal for advanced photonic applications but remain challenging due to inherent trade-offs betwwen g_lum value and photoluminescenc quantum yield (PLQY). Here, we report a supramolecular engineering strategy to construct intrinsically luminescent chiral nematic liquid crystal (N*-LC) films via coassembly of luminescent liquid crystals (LLCs) and chiral dopant. First, five intrinsic LLCs molecules (2PFQ, 2PFBQ, 2PFB, 2PFSe, and 2PFS) were synthesized by combining the biphenyl framework with dioctyl-functionalized fluorene, achieving exceptional nematic phases and high brightness with PLQY up to 99%. Then, chiral coassembly of the obtained LLCs with chiral dopants (P/M-THH) followed by rapid thermal quenching yielded Bragg reflection-free N*-LC films exhibiting high-brightness CPL with recorded g_lum values (up to 0.75) and PLQY (up to 71%). Full-color tunability and white CPL (CIE: 0.33, 0.33) were realized through precise compositional control. The simultaneous optimization of g_lum and PLQY enables high-brightness CPL with advanced anticounterfeiting capabilities, opening new avenues for developing high-brighness CPL materials for polarized photonic and optoelectronic applications.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Open Research

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Supporting Information

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Volume64, Issue28

July 7, 2025

e202507802

Intrinsically Luminescent Nematic Liquid Crystals Enabling High-Brightness Full-Color and White Circularly Polarized Luminescence via Chiral Coassembly

Graphical Abstract

Abstract

Conflict of Interests

Open Research

Data Availability Statement

Supporting Information

References

References

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Intrinsically Luminescent Nematic Liquid Crystals Enabling High-Brightness Full-Color and White Circularly Polarized Luminescence via Chiral Coassembly

Graphical Abstract

Abstract

Conflict of Interests

Open Research

Data Availability Statement

Supporting Information

References

References

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