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Maximized circularly polarized luminescence from metal clusters accelerates chiral photopolymerization

Author

Listed:
  • Chong Zhang

    (Zhengzhou University
    Henan University of Technology)

  • Shan Guan

    (Zhengzhou University)

  • Zhi-Min Zhang

    (Zhengzhou University)

  • Bai-Yu Wu

    (Zhengzhou University)

  • Zhen Han

    (Zhengzhou University)

  • Shuang-Quan Zang

    (Zhengzhou University)

Abstract

The practical application of the circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) emitted from chiral substances faces significant hurdles, primarily due to the small luminescence dissymmetry factor (glum) and low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY). Herein, we demonstrate a hierarchical system in which metal clusters exhibit excellent CPL performance, with both excellent glum factors and high PLQYs, thereby triggering enantioselective photopolymerization. Their CPL activities are sequentially amplified in different assembly forms induced by liquid crystals (LCs), and the maximum glum factor is increased by 1240 times, reaching a value of 1.24. The PLQYs of the metal clusters in different assembled states are sharply enhanced compared to that in the discrete state. Benefiting from the CPL performance of the metal clusters, their CPL was used to remotely regulate enantioselective polymerization, thus realizing light-to-matter chirality transfer. Impressively, upon incorporation of achiral luminophores, the polymer system is endowed with CPL through sequential chirality transfer. These innovative achievements open new avenues for the design and cutting-edge application of CPL-active metal clusters.

Suggested Citation

  • Chong Zhang & Shan Guan & Zhi-Min Zhang & Bai-Yu Wu & Zhen Han & Shuang-Quan Zang, 2025. "Maximized circularly polarized luminescence from metal clusters accelerates chiral photopolymerization," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62232-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62232-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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