Alterations to Increase Luminescence: Modifying Light-Producing Organic Molecules through Surface Adjustments
The Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), one of Japan's top-ranking universities, has made a significant breakthrough in the field of organic materials. A team of researchers, led by Dr. Zhongping Li and Associate Professor Yuki Nagao, have devised a novel strategy for tuning the light-emitting properties of hydrazone-linked COFs.
The study, published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition as a Very Important Paper, involves introducing atoms or small molecular groups into the pore walls of COFs. By doing so, the team was able to produce compounds that can be fine-tuned to emit light at various distinct frequencies within the RGB spectrum.
Dr. Nagao, a specialist in designing polymer materials conducive to interface proton transport, has been focusing on developing proton batteries and fuel cells. He and his colleagues, along with researchers from the National University of Singapore, have shown that the changes in composition cause drastic effects in the electronic structure of the entire molecule, altering some of its physicochemical properties.
The strategy may shape a new regime in light-emitting organic materials for both highly sophisticated applications and daily-life devices. It allows for the production of red, green, or blue (RGB) light using a single material, a significant advancement in the field.
Moreover, the synthesized COFs have high luminescence, stability, and sensitivity to guest molecules. The strategy is compatible with further functionalization and should be widely applicable to other types of COFs.
JAIST, with its unique style of graduate education based on a coursework-oriented curriculum, fosters diverse leaders with a state-of-the-art education system. The university has multiple satellite campuses and promotes industry-academia collaborative research, working closely with both local and overseas communities.
About 40% of JAIST's alumni are international students, reflecting the university's commitment to global collaboration. For more information about Dr. Nagao's research, visit: https://www.jaist.ac.jp/english/areas/mc/laboratory/nagao.html
Dr. Nagao has published over 100 papers with over 1400 citations to his credit. He has been an Associate Professor at JAIST since 2012. The study was also supported by authors including Professor Achim Hartschuh, Professor Thomas Bein, and institutions such as the LMU Chemistry Faculty and the excellence cluster e-conversion.
This breakthrough is a testament to the innovative research being conducted at JAIST, further solidifying its position as a leading institution in the scientific community. The strategy's potential applications extend beyond the realm of organic materials, offering exciting possibilities for future research and development.
