Water‐Enabled Ultralong Full‐Color Organic Phosphorescence in Hydrogen‐Bonded Frameworks for 4D Encryption and Bio‐Imaging

Developing water-stable organic room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials remains a formidable challenge due to water-induced quenching. Herein, we present a counter-intuitive strategy to achieve water-enhanced ultralong RTP via the in situ encapsulation of carbonyl-based guests within a rigid hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF). Unlike conventional systems where water acts as a quencher, we demonstrate that water molecules function as pivotal structural reinforcers. Mechanistic studies reveal that water bridges host-guest hydrogen-bonding sites, constructing a denser network that rigidifies molecular conformation and promotes intersystem crossing. Consequently, phosphorescence intensity peaks at a high water content of 55 wt.%. Significantly, this universal strategy enables full-color ultralong phosphorescence (from blue to deep red) by tuning guest conjugation-a rare feat in aqueous media. Benefiting from exceptional physiological stability and biocompatibility, these nano-sized hybrids overcome intracellular quenching bottlenecks, enabling high-signal-to-noise ratio cellular bio-imaging. Additionally, applications in 4D encryption and humidity sensing are demonstrated. This work transforms a traditional phosphorescence killer into a synergistic enhancer, offering a novel paradigm for designing high-performance RTP materials tailored for biological applications.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Science
Published
2026-06-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.76094
Primary Topic
Luminescence and Fluorescent Materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Water‐Enabled Ultralong Full‐Color Organic Phosphorescence in Hydrogen‐Bonded Frameworks for 4D Encryption and Bio‐Imaging

Zenggang Lin, W.T. Liu, P R Wu, Lu Yang
Advanced Science
Luminescence and Fluorescent Materials
article

Water‐Enabled Ultralong Full‐Color Organic Phosphorescence in Hydrogen‐Bonded Frameworks for 4D Encryption and Bio‐Imaging

Zenggang Lin, W.T. Liu, P R Wu, Lu Yang
article en

Abstract

Developing water-stable organic room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials remains a formidable challenge due to water-induced quenching. Herein, we present a counter-intuitive strategy to achieve water-enhanced ultralong RTP via the in situ encapsulation of carbonyl-based guests within a rigid hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF). Unlike conventional systems where water acts as a quencher, we demonstrate that water molecules function as pivotal structural reinforcers. Mechanistic studies reveal that water bridges host-guest hydrogen-bonding sites, constructing a denser network that rigidifies molecular conformation and promotes intersystem crossing. Consequently, phosphorescence intensity peaks at a high water content of 55 wt.%. Significantly, this universal strategy enables full-color ultralong phosphorescence (from blue to deep red) by tuning guest conjugation-a rare feat in aqueous media. Benefiting from exceptional physiological stability and biocompatibility, these nano-sized hybrids overcome intracellular quenching bottlenecks, enabling high-signal-to-noise ratio cellular bio-imaging. Additionally, applications in 4D encryption and humidity sensing are demonstrated. This work transforms a traditional phosphorescence killer into a synergistic enhancer, offering a novel paradigm for designing high-performance RTP materials tailored for biological applications.

Advanced Science
Lanzhou University Second Hospital (CN), Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CN), Lanzhou University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Science and Technology Program of Gansu Province
Clean water and sanitation
Openalex Percentile: Top 15%
Luminescence and Fluorescent Materials
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