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Emergent clusteroluminescence from nonemissive molecules

Author

Listed:
  • Jianyu Zhang

    (Zhejiang University)

  • Zuping Xiong

    (Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University
    State Key Laboratory of Transvascular Implantation Devices)

  • Haoke Zhang

    (Zhejiang University
    Zhejiang University
    State Key Laboratory of Transvascular Implantation Devices)

  • Ben Zhong Tang

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Abstract

Once considered the exclusive property of conjugated molecules, efficient and visible-light luminescence from non-conjugated and nonemissive molecules in the clustered state, known as clusteroluminescence (CL), has attracted much attention recently due to its special photophysical behaviors and behind electronic interactions. This perspective discusses the development of the CL phenomenon, followed by the typical photophysical features, examples, mechanisms, and potential applications of CL materials, to provide a comprehensive picture of this emerging field. Starting with organic clusters, inorganic, metallic, and hybrid clusters with CL properties are also introduced, and the perspective shift from covalent interactions at the molecular level to non-covalent interactions at the aggregate level is invoked.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianyu Zhang & Zuping Xiong & Haoke Zhang & Ben Zhong Tang, 2025. "Emergent clusteroluminescence from nonemissive molecules," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59212-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59212-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bo Song & Jianyu Zhang & Jiadong Zhou & Anjun Qin & Jacky W. Y. Lam & Ben Zhong Tang, 2023. "Facile conversion of water to functional molecules and cross-linked polymeric films with efficient clusteroluminescence," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Bernd Ensing & Ambuj Tiwari & Martijn Tros & Johannes Hunger & Sérgio R. Domingos & Cristóbal Pérez & Gertien Smits & Mischa Bonn & Daniel Bonn & Sander Woutersen, 2019. "On the origin of the extremely different solubilities of polyethers in water," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    3. Yinjuan Huang & Jie Xing & Qiuyu Gong & Li-Chuan Chen & Guangfeng Liu & Changjiang Yao & Zongrui Wang & Hao-Li Zhang & Zhong Chen & Qichun Zhang, 2019. "Reducing aggregation caused quenching effect through co-assembly of PAH chromophores and molecular barriers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Takuya Shimajiri & Soki Kawaguchi & Takanori Suzuki & Yusuke Ishigaki, 2024. "Direct evidence for a carbon–carbon one-electron σ-bond," Nature, Nature, vol. 634(8033), pages 347-351, October.
    5. Yipu Wang & Jianyu Zhang & Qingyang Xu & Weihao Tu & Lei Wang & Yuan Xie & Jing Zhi Sun & Feihe Huang & Haoke Zhang & Ben Zhong Tang, 2024. "Narrowband clusteroluminescence with 100% quantum yield enabled by through-space conjugation of asymmetric conformation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    6. Jianyu Zhang & Parvej Alam & Siwei Zhang & Hanchen Shen & Lianrui Hu & Herman H. Y. Sung & Ian D. Williams & Jianwei Sun & Jacky W. Y. Lam & Haoke Zhang & Ben Zhong Tang, 2022. "Secondary through-space interactions facilitated single-molecule white-light emission from clusteroluminogens," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    7. Andrew J. Neel & Margaret J. Hilton & Matthew S. Sigman & F. Dean Toste, 2017. "Exploiting non-covalent π interactions for catalyst design," Nature, Nature, vol. 543(7647), pages 637-646, March.
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