A Twisted Phosphor: Breaking T<sub>1</sub> Energy Conservation in Dopant‐Matrix Organic Phosphorescence Systems
Shuhui Ding, Xuepu Wang, Guangming Wang, Minjian Wu, Junbo Li, Xiaoya Zhao, Haodong Li, Shixue Ren, Kaka Zhang
Abstract
Abstract In the exciton model of organic compounds proposed by Kasha, energy levels of T 1 states are insensitive to microenvironment because of negligibly small transition dipole moments of T 1 states. This phenomenon of T 1 energy conservation holds true in most organic systems. Here a serendipitous finding of a twisted organic phosphor that breaks T 1 energy conservation in dopant‐matrix phosphorescence systems is reported. Specifically, the twisted phosphor exhibits distinct phosphorescence colors and T 1 energy levels when doped into different organic matrices under ambient conditions. Time‐dependent density functional theory calculations reveal that, when the twisted phosphor is in its freely rotating form, the increase of twisted angle leads to the increase of its T 1 energy level. After being planarized by alkyl cyclization, the phosphor shows the recovery of T 1 energy conservation. Owing to its sensitive T 1 level, the twisted phosphor functions as label‐free and visual probe for direct observation of polymer phase separation.