Room-Temperature Phosphorescence in Polymer-Blend Matrices with Heterogeneous Structures

In this study, we report an effective approach for preparing room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials with tunable photophysical properties and mechanical properties by utilizing heterogeneous polymeric matrices under ambient conditions. By doping a difluoroboron β-diketonate derivative into the blend of polystyrene (PS) and polybutadiene (PB), a bright and long-lived afterglow can be obtained, while no RTP emission can be induced by either PS or PB solely. Taking advantage of distinct moduli of PS and PB, the Young’s modulus of prepared RTP materials can be facilely tuned by the composition of polymeric matrices. This work highlights the matrix engineering of RTP materials.